Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was found guilty of rape by an Oregon jury after an 11-day trial. The 32-year-old ex-Portland Trail Blazers player was convicted on three counts, including first-degree rape and unlawful sexual penetration, in Clackamas County. The prosecution argued that the victim was unconscious after heavy drinking when the assault occurred, while the defense claimed she was sober and consented to the contact.
The trial, which began in February 2024, concluded with the jury finding McLemore guilty on three charges but not guilty on an additional count of second-degree sexual abuse. Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth emphasized that the case demonstrates the office’s commitment to prosecuting criminal acts regardless of the perpetrator’s status. The incident occurred in October 2021 in Lake Oswego, Oregon, when authorities identified McLemore as a suspect following the victim’s complaint.
The case involved a grand jury hearing in February 2024, during which the victim testified about the assault. U.S. Marshals arrested McLemore two months later. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the victim passed out on a living room couch around 2 a.m. after consuming alcohol and regained partial consciousness the next morning, during which time McLemore sexually penetrated her. The defense disputed these claims, asserting that the woman had initiated contact and was sober enough to consent.
McLemore, a product of Kansas, played nine seasons in the NBA, including a successful draft in 2013 when he was selected seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings. He later played for several other teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in legal proceedings involving high-profile individuals and the importance of clear legal standards in sexual assault cases.