Dwight Howard says sexual encounter with man was ‘consensual’

Former NBA star Dwight Howard has hit back after a bombshell sexual assault lawsuit was filed against him from a 2021 rendezvous.

Dwight Howard has hit back at bombshell sexual assault lawsuit. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Former NBA centre Dwight Howard has denied sexual assault and battery allegations stemming from a July 2021 incident at his Georgia residence with a man named Stephen Harper, according to a civil lawsuit obtained by The Post.

A lawyer for Howard, who currently plays in the Taiwanese pro basketball league, said his client is looking forward to “presenting the truth” in court.

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“What was a private consensual encounter was made public for profit and Mr. Howard looks forward to bringing the truth to light in a court of law,” an lawyer for Howard, Justin Bailey, told ESPN.

“The allegations against Mr. Howard are contested. Mr. Howard intends to present the truth.

“Despite being an easy target due to the subject matter and his status as a celebrity, Mr. Howard chose to trust in the justice system and will rely on all future court filings to speak for themselves.”

Per the court documents, Howard said he engaged in “consensual sexual activity” with Harper, but denied causing any injury to Harper while they were at Howard’s home in July 2021.

Dwight Howard says the encounter was consensual. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/AFP

The encounter took place after Harper’s lawyers said in their initial filing that their client initiated communication with Howard over direct messages on Instagram in May 2021, according to ESPN.

Howard also denied allegations of “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and “false imprisonment,” as stated in the civil lawsuit.

Howard has asked the court to dismiss the civil lawsuit filed against him in July 2023 in Georgia.

Dwight wants the lawsuit thrown out. Abbie Parr/Getty Images/AFP

According to RadarOnline, Harper alleges the former NBA player surprised him by bringing out a man dressed as a woman.

Harper said the man called himself “Kitty.”

In his complaint, Harper said Howard wanted a threesome with Kitty, but he resisted. Harper said he was uncomfortable and did not want to participate.

Harper said he asked Howard to stop. Instead of listening, he claimed Howard told him he was “going to do whatever” and he was “going to like it.”

“Defendant stood up (towering over Mr. Harper), grabbed Mr. Harper by the thighs, forcibly removed Mr. Harper’s underwear, held Mr. Harper down, and performed nonconsensual oral sex on Mr. Harper,” the filing read.

“Mr. Harper was in fear of imminent bodily harm when he was pinned down and forced to remain in place while Defendant continued to sexually assault him.”

Howard last played in the league in 2022 and continued his professional basketball career later that year with Taiwan’s Taoyuan Leopards.

The 18-year NBA veteran won an NBA title while on LeBron James’ Lakers in the 2019-20 COVID bubble season.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.