**Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Sentenced for Rape in Oregon**
Former NBA guard Ben McLemore has been sentenced to 100 months in prison after being convicted of raping a 21-year-old woman in Oregon in 2021. A jury in Clackamas County Circuit Court found the 32-year-old guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse, while acquitting him of an additional charge of second-degree sexual abuse. McLemore, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, did not make a statement during the sentencing.
Clackamas County First Assistant District Attorney Scott Healy emphasized the importance of the victim’s bravery in coming forward, stating, “Many people are often afraid to report this type of conduct for a number of reasons. 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.” Healy added that the sentence serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated in the community.
The incident took place in Lake Oswego, Oregon, in October 2021, when authorities identified McLemore as a suspect following the woman’s report. During the court proceedings, the victim shared her experience, expressing the emotional toll the situation has taken on her life. “This has been the longest almost four years of my life. I never imagined that reporting this back in 2021 would lead to such an incredibly difficult and long journey,” she stated.
In February 2024, a grand jury heard evidence, including the victim’s testimony, which detailed the assault. McLemore was arrested two months later by U.S. Marshals. The prosecution argued that the victim was incapacitated after consuming alcohol and that McLemore assaulted her while she was unconscious. McLemore’s defense contended that the sexual contact was consensual.
McLemore, a product of Kansas, played nine seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Sacramento Kings, who selected him seventh overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. His career included stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets.
**FAQ**
**What was Ben McLemore convicted of?**
Ben McLemore was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced to 100 months in prison.