Gregg Popovich addressed the lawsuit involving the San Antonio Spurs and former player, Josh Primo Friday, and for a coach known for being extremely detail-oriented, he did not want to talk details.
According to multiple media outlets, former Spurs psychologist Hillary Cauthen has sued both Primo and the Spurs involving alleged incidents of indecent exposure by Primo. She has also filed a criminal complaint.
“As you know, this is in the hands of lawyers now, so we can’t go there,” Popovich said, when asked to address the lawsuit, which was reported on Thursday. However, Popovich talked at length in hypothetical terms about how the Spurs deal with such issues.
“I will say, I stand by the statement that came out yesterday from the Spurs organization, in contrast to many of the things that were said at the press conference,” Popovich said. “I would only add that anybody that has observed the Spurs over a long period of time knows that an accusation like this would be taken very seriously. Without any doubt whatsoever. No equivocation. The Spurs organization would be on top of it.
“I’m absolutely confident the men and women on the managerial staff who dealt and are dealing with this did so purposefully, efficiently and promptly, and did it with the utmost care for everybody concerned — the accuser, the accused, people in the organization to make sure everyone still felt comfortable and safe.
“I’ll leave my comments at that.”
Gregg Popovich was asked pregame by @tom_orsborn about who within the Spurs knew last June about allegations against Joshua Primo. Popovich’s answer: pic.twitter.com/5N95g8YnaI
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) November 4, 2022
The Spurs released Primo, their first-round draft pick in 2021, on Oct. 28, with the player saying he needed to address mental health issues. Reports soon surfaced he had been accused of multiple incidents of indecent exposure.
Cauthen alleges Primo indecently exposed himself to her nine times beginning in December 2021 and the franchise failed to act. Those close to Primo say the guard inadvertently exposed himself by wearing basketball shorts while on a couch.
Cauthen’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, has worked with several women in lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct by Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Primo averaged 7 points and 4.5 assists per game this season.
[Marc J. Spears, Andrew Greif]
