Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Sentenced On Serious Charges

Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was sentenced to more than eight years in state prison after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman at an Oregon house party in 2021, ESPN reports.

McLemore, 32, who last appeared in an NBA game during the 2022 season, was convicted of one charge of first-degree rape, one charge of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and one count of second-degree sexual abuse, but not the additional count of second-degree sexual abuse, resulting in a 100-month sentence. The former NBA player previously pleaded not guilty to all four counts and didn't address the court during his sentencing.

"Many people are often afraid to report this type of conduct for a number of reasons," said Clackamas County First Assistant District Attorney Scott Healy in a statement obtained by ESPN. "Hopefully the victim's strength and courage in this case will give others the fortitude to come forward in circumstances where sexual assault has occurred. The sentence the defendant received today should serve as a reminder that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in our community, and that the Clackamas County DA's Office will always work hard to hold offenders accountable and provide justice to victims."

The incident took place on October 3, 2021, when McLemore was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers at the home of then-teammate Robert Covington. McLemore was identified as a suspect and arrested by U.S. Marshals in April 2024, two months after a Clackamas County grand jury heard evidence in the case, according to the Lake Oswego Police Department.

"We hope the Oregon Legislature will adopt a 'second look' process that would evaluate whether he should serve the entire 100 month sentence or whether, beyond the short alcohol-influenced encounter that led to this conviction, he is a considerate and humble person who has lived an honorable, community-focused life," said Kristen Winemiller, McLemore's attorney, on Wednesday via ESPN.

McLemore was a consensus Second-team All-American and First-team All-Big 12 selection during his lone season at Kansas before being selected by the Sacramento Kings at No. 7 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. The Missouri native averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game during his nine-year career with five NBA teams.