WSU volleyball player Lauren Johnson has filed a civil protection order against WSU men’s basketball player Emmanuel Ugbo, according to court documents obtained by Murrow News 8.

The protection order included allegations that Ugbo has been stalking and harassing Johnson after she ended a relationship with him in 2025. She alleged Ugbo found her address online and sent her unwanted gifts. In addition, he allegedly changed his phone number to contact her and at least one of her teammates after she had previously blocked him.

In Ugbo’s court statements, he said he was initially unaware Johnson wanted to end their relationship. He said he attempted to send her a birthday gift and thought he could “win her back.”

After several interactions, a temporary protective order was placed against Ugbo. Since then, Ugbo has been suspended from the WSU men’s basketball team and has not been permitted to practice or play in games. He last played Jan. 28 against Seattle University, when he scored 11 points.

A hearing took place Wednesday at the Whitman County Superior Court. It appears Ugbo will not return to the team until the case is settled.

Ugbo alleged Johnson has been spreading rumors and lies about him in an attempt to have him removed from the university and WSU’s basketball program. That was corroborated in a statement from a teammate, who wrote Johnson had admitted to him she intended to have Ugbo removed from WSU.

Other members of the WSU men’s basketball team submitted statements to the court as well. One teammate alleged Johnson spent the duration of the WSU men’s basketball game against Gonzaga, on Jan. 15, “making faces and dirty looks” at Ugbo and “putting up her middle fingers” at Ugbo when he was attempting shots.

A second hearing is set to take place next Wednesday. WSU men’s basketball has not commented on the situation.