Texas Tech star Pop Isaacs reportedly accused of sexually assaulting a minor in the Bahamas
Despite the lawsuit, Pop Isaacs played in Texas Tech's upset win over No. 20 Texas on Saturday night
Texas Tech leading scorer Pop Isaacs is accused of sexually assaulting a minor during his team's trip to the Bahamas in November, according to ESPN.
A civil lawsuit alleging the assault was reportedly filed in Lubbock County District Court by the parents of the alleged victim, who was 17 at the time of the alleged incident. The age of consent is 16 in the Bahamas, but the suit reportedly claims the girl was intoxicated and could not give consent.
The lawsuit requests $1 million in damages.
The alleged incident occurred when the Texas Tech men's basketball team was competing in the Battle 4 Atlantis, the early-season college basketball tournament that frequently attracts some of the sport's top programs. The Red Raiders, competing in the event for the first time, finished in fifth place after losing to eventual champion Villanova in their opener, then winning two consolation games.
The lawsuit reportedly alleges a Texas Tech booster bought alcoholic drinks for the 20-year-old Isaacs and his teammates in a room with two girls, age 17 and 16. Isaacs is alleged to have gone into another room with the 17-year-old and sexually assaulted her while she "attempted to fight him off."
Isaacs was present at practice Friday, and he played with the Red Raiders Saturday in their Big 12 opener. Isaacs dropped a team-high 21 points to lead Texas Tech to a 78-67 win over No. 20 Texas in Austin. He was booed by Texas fans nearly every time he touched the ball.
Texas Tech released a statement to The Messenger's Jeff Goodman, saying they had reported the matter to the school's Title IX office and had been told twice that Isaacs remains in good standing:
“Upon learning of the allegations, the matter was immediately and properly reported to the University’s Title IX Office. The Title IX Office and its process are external to and independent from TTU Athletics. The Title IX Office’s investigation into the allegations promptly commenced. Athletics reached out to the Title IX Office on two occasions and was informed both times that based upon the information, Pop Isaacs remains in good standing, and there is no reason to withhold him from University activities, including basketball competition. The Title IX Office will continue to follow its process until it is completed, regardless of the civil lawsuit.”
Isaacs did not speak after the game Saturday, and first-year head coach Grant McCasland declined to get into the decision to keep playing Isaacs.
"The statement that was made by the university is the one that I'm going to stand by," he said, via ESPN. "We're committed to that."
A Big 12 All-Freshman honoree last season, Isaacs has started all 14 games for the Red Raiders (12-2 overall, 1-0 Big 12) and leads the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game. He shot 7-of-15 from the field on Saturday against the Longhorns (11-3, 0-1), which marked the program's seventh straight win.
They'll take on Oklahoma State (8-6, 0-1) next on Tuesday.
