NBA security director Kelley Hardwick sued at Manhattan State Court in June last year alleging that she had been removed from security duties for London 2012 after rejecting sexual advances from Auriemma on a national team trip to Russia in 2009.

The former New York police detective claimed Auriemma requested to league officials that she was removed from the security position in retaliation for rejecting his sexual advances.

The assault claim related to an incident following her reinstatement to the national team security team, apparently with significantly reduced responsibilities, when the 59-year-old Italian coach allegedly shouted at her in front of the team.

The allegations have been denied by the coach, who led the Olympic team to the gold medal at last summer's Olympics.

Supreme Court Justice Cynthia S Kern dismissed the case without addressing the merit of the allegations, saying New York courts lacked jurisdiction, but Hardwick's attorney appealed Kern's ruling to the New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division.

McLaughlin said that New York law applies to Hardwick's case because she works at the NBA's headquarters in Manhattan, and he alleged Auriemma tried to destroy her New York-based career.

"We think Mr Auriemma will have to explain his conduct as alleged in the complaint," claimed Hardwick's attorney.

"He'll have to stand in front of a judge.

"Before that, he'll have to stand before a deposition."

However, Auriemma's lawyer is confident that the appeal will not be passed.

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