Ben McLemore, a former Portland Path Blazers guard and the No. 7 total choose within the 2013 NBA Draft, was discovered responsible of raping a lady at a 2021 home occasion. A Clackamas County (Oregon) jury convicted McLemore on a number of rape and sexual abuse costs, although he was discovered not responsible on one rely of second-degree sexual abuse. McLemore, 32, had pleaded not responsible to the costs.
The incident occurred on Oct. 3, 2021, throughout a non-public gathering on the Lake Oswego residence of then-Path Blazers teammate Robert Covington. On the time, McLemore was on the Portland roster because the crew ready for the upcoming NBA season. He was later arrested at Portland International Airport in April 2024 on excellent warrants tied to the case, in response to police.
The trial final almost two weeks. The lady testified that she was incapacitated after heavy consuming and unable to consent. McLemore stated he had additionally been consuming however maintained the encounter was consensual.
After finishing the 2021–22 season with the Path Blazers, he continued his skilled profession abroad in China, Greece and Spain. Police stated his departure delayed the case, however investigators continued to assemble proof. In February 2024, a Clackamas County grand jury returned an indictment after reviewing that proof and listening to testimony from the alleged sufferer.
McLemore performed 9 seasons within the NBA after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2013. He spent 4 seasons in Sacramento earlier than later becoming a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. He signed with the Portland Path Blazers forward of the 2021–22 season, which turned out to be his closing 12 months within the league.