Ex-NBA star’s shocking conviction in Oregon: from NBA lottery pick to facing prison
He played for the Lakers and the Kings among others, but he’s now been found guilty of assaulting a 21-year-old woman at a party in 2021.
Ben McLemore, the former Kings, Grizzlies, Rockets, Lakers and Blazers guard, has been found guilty of rape and sexual abuse by a jury in Clackamas County, Oregon. The 32-year-old will be sentenced on July 9 for assaulting a 21-year-old woman during a party on the night of October 3, 2021. The incident took place at the home of Robert Covington – McLemore’s teammate at the time on the Portland Trail Blazers – near Lake Oswego.
Ben McLemore convicted of rape
McLemore was convicted in Clackamas County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse.
District Attorney John Wentworth stressed that McLemore’s celebrity status had no bearing on the outcome. “We recognize that some may fear people with celebrity status or prominent positions can avoid prosecution. Not in Clackamas County,” he said in a press release. “This case demonstrates that my office prosecutes criminal conduct regardless of the offender’s social status.”
Ben McLemore’s path as a professional basketball player
The shooting guard played 556 NBA games after being selected 7th overall in the 2013 Draft, following a standout college career with the Kansas Jayhawks. During his time in the league – split between stints in Sacramento, Memphis, Houston, Los Angeles and Portland – he averaged 9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
After leaving the NBA, McLemore continued his career overseas, with spells in China with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin, in Greece with AEK Athens, and in Spain with Río Breogán. His final team was Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli in the Turkish basketball league.
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