Former NBA Draft prospect Ben McLemore addressed his arrest on Tuesday on sexual assault charges in a statement released Thursday night.
McLemore was charged with four counts of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse stemming from a 2021 incident in Lake Oswego, Oregon. ing.
“I am not accused of using physical force to rape someone. Rather, I am accused of engaging in sexual acts with someone who claims they did not consent.” McLemore claimed in a statement:
“I did not rape this woman. I did not sexually abuse her. When I understood that the woman was not interested in me and was willing to act, I pursued a sexual relationship. I never did.”
McLemore said it will take time for the defense to establish the facts, and that the prosecution has not submitted any evidence or reports for the defense to consider.
He claimed he was denied the opportunity to testify before the grand jury, but added that he was cooperating with the investigation and “responded promptly and professionally to all requests the investigation made of me.”
McLemore was arrested by U.S. Marshals at Portland International Airport on Tuesday and arraigned on the charges in Clackamas County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The former NBA player and Kansas State star said that after learning of the charges, he made arrangements to return to the United States from overseas and informed law enforcement of his plans.
“The truth will come out. I’m confident we will prevail and my name will be cleared,” McLemore said.
A grand jury handed down an indictment in February, and an arrest warrant was issued for McLemore.
McLemore is a native of Kansas and was selected by the Kings with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
He spent four years in Sacramento before playing for the Grizzlies, Rockets, Lakers and Trail Blazers.
