National Basketball Association

Bulls' Rose responds to reported rape allegation by ex-girlfriend

Published Aug. 27, 2015 8:22 a.m. ET

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Derrick Rose issued a statement Thursday to USA Today denying allegations that he drugged and raped an ex-girlfriend.

“I am just focusing on staying healthy and getting ready for the season,” Rose said in a statement. “I am not going to comment other than to say – I know the truth, and am confident I will be proven innocent.”

Shortly after TMZ reported that a lawsuit has been filed against Rose on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Rose issued a statement insisting the accuser is simply trying to extort the 26-year-old for money.

“The plaintiff’s allegations are completely false and without any factual basis,” the statement read, via Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen. “This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to shake down a highly respected and successful athlete. Mr. Rose was in a non-exclusive, consensual sexual relationship with the plaintiff for over two years. The plaintiff expressed no complaints about Mr. Rose until various lawyers began to surface and demand that the plaintiff be paid millions of dollars. This is the third lawyer the plaintiff has retained in this matter.

“Two years have passed since Mr. Rose ended the consensual relationship with the plaintiff and her claims are as meritless now as they were two years ago. We have complete confidence that the case will be dismissed and that Mr. Rose will be vindicated. This lawsuit is outrageous.”

The Chicago Bulls also released a statement Thursday.

"We just learned about this matter and do not know all the facts.  It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The accuser claims Rose and two friends drugged her with the intention of raping her and later broke into her apartment to gang-rape her after she was incapacitated. The woman says she dated Rose from 2011-2013. Rose broke up with his longtime girlfriend sometime around October 2013, though it is unclear if the accuser is the same woman.

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