Ben McLemore Sentenced in Rape Case
Former NBA player Ben McLemore received a 100-month sentence on Wednesday after being found guilty of raping a 21-year-old woman in Oregon back in 2021.
A judge in Clackamas County Circuit Court convicted McLemore, 32, of first-degree rape, and he also pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful sexual intrusion and second-degree sexual abuse. However, he was acquitted of another charge related to sexual abuse.
Notably, McLemore, who denied all charges, was absent from the court when his sentence was delivered.
Clackamas County First District Attorney Scott Healy commented on the case, stating, “Many people often hesitate to report such conduct for various reasons. Hopefully, the bravery of the victim in this case will encourage others to speak up in similar situations.” He added that the sentence should serve as a reminder that this behavior is unacceptable in the community.
The incident took place in Lake Oswego, Oregon, in October 2021, where McLemore became a suspect following the woman’s complaint.
During the court proceedings, the victim spoke about her harrowing experience, saying, “This has been nearly four years of my life. I never thought that reporting this in 2021 would lead to such a long and challenging journey.” She expressed that the past few years have felt heavy, as if she were dragging a weight behind her, constantly reminded of the trauma she had experienced.
In February 2024, evidence was presented in court, including testimonies from the victim and others. The prosecution described how the woman had been intoxicated and later awoke to find McLemore assaulting her.
McLemore’s legal team disputed the claims, suggesting that she had consented to the contact, arguing that her demeanor was calm during the encounter.
Originally from Kansas, McLemore enjoyed a nine-season career in the NBA, playing mainly with the Sacramento Kings but also for teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season.
