A woman has come forward with allegations that NBA player Deandre Ayton left her stranded in Turks and Caicos after allegedly flying her out under the pretense of discussing his potential role with the Los Angeles Lakers. The story has quickly gained traction online, not only due to the high-profile name involved but also because of the unusual nature of the claim—that the trip was supposedly professional in nature, revolving around “basketball plays” and Ayton’s rumored transition to the Lakers.
According to the woman, who shared her account via social media and follow-up interviews, Ayton reached out to her with an invitation to join him in the Caribbean, promising that the trip would include discussions about his fit with the Lakers system. She claimed she was under the impression that her role would be supportive, perhaps advisory, though the specifics of what “discussing plays” entailed were never made entirely clear.
“I thought I was going to be part of something serious,” she said in a now-viral video. “He made it sound like he was trying to get focused, like he wanted help breaking down the game and how he would contribute to the team. I was there to support that.”
However, once she arrived, the situation quickly changed. She alleges that Ayton became distant, stopped communicating directly with her, and eventually left the island without informing her—leaving her with no return flight or plan. The woman said she had to make her own travel arrangements to get back home, racking up unexpected expenses.
Online reactions have been swift and varied. Some social media users expressed sympathy for the woman, noting that flying someone out under misleading pretenses is a form of manipulation, even if not illegal. Others questioned the nature of the arrangement from
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