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Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff Writer
Texas Tech basketball player Pop Isaacs has been accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting a minor during a team trip to the Bahamas in November.
The lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, was filed in Lubbock County (Texas) District Court by the parents of the girl who says she was sexually assaulted.
The girl was 17 at the time of the alleged incident. The age of consent in the Bahamas is 16, but the suit says she was intoxicated at the time and could not give consent. It asks for $1 million in damages.
The Red Raiders were playing at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island at the time.
The lawsuit alleges a Texas Tech booster bought alcoholic drinks for Isaacs and a teammate. They were in a room with two girls, ages 17 and 16. The lawsuit says Isaacs and the 17-year-old went to another room, where she was sexually assaulted after she “attempted to fight him off.”
According to the lawsuit, Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland was contacted by the plaintiffs Dec. 14. McCasland reported the situation to athletic director Kirby Hocutt and other university officials, it says.
In a statement later Friday night, Texas Tech said once it became aware of the allegations, they were immediately reported to its Title IX office, which commenced its own investigation. According to the school, the athletics department reached out twice to the Title IX office — which operates independently — and was told each time that based on the information it has, Isaacs “remains in good standing, and there is no reason to withhold him from University activities, including basketball competition.”
Texas Tech added that the Title IX office “will continue to follow its process until it is completed, regardless of the civil lawsuit.”
Isaacs has played in all 13 games this season for Texas Tech, averaging 15.8 points and 3.4 assists.
Texas Tech (11-2) is scheduled to play at Texas on Saturday.