Cody McDavis, a lawyer and former college basketball player previously honored by the Obama administration for his work combating violence against women, has been charged with stalking and assaulting his girlfriend over a year-long period. The charges contrast sharply with his public advocacy for preventing sexual and gender-based violence.
McDavis, 32, faces six felony and three misdemeanor counts, according to a complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Prosecutors allege that between July 2025 and June 2026, he engaged in a pattern of behavior that included repeatedly following and harassing his girlfriend, leaving her in fear for her safety and that of her family.
The allegations detail three felony counts of inflicting corporal injury, two felony counts of stalking, and one felony count of attempting to prevent prosecution. He also faces three misdemeanor counts for violating a protective order. McDavis is scheduled for arraignment on September 2, with a recommended bail of $550,000.
During his tenure as a student-athlete and law student, McDavis received recognition for his efforts to address violence on college campuses. He was named a White House Champion of Change under President Barack Obama for his involvement in the “It’s On Us” campaign, an initiative launched in 2014 to combat sexual assault in higher education. McDavis also co-developed the “Tracy Rule,” a policy aimed at barring college athletes with a history of serious sexual or violent misconduct from competing. He was profiled in Sports Illustrated in 2019 for his campaign to have NCAA Power Five conferences support the ban.
McDavis, who played basketball at the University of Northern Colorado and studied law at UCLA, has retained attorney Shawn Holley, known for her work with high-profile clients. Representatives for McDavis and his law firm, Vedder Price, did not respond to requests for comment.