100 months in prison for this former Lakers player, convicted of rape!

Ben McLemore, former 32-year-old NBA guard, was sentenced Wednesday to 100 months in prison by an Oregon judge. This sentence follows his conviction for rape and sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman. The events allegedly took place during a party in Lake Oswego in 2021.

A heavy verdict after a two-and-a-half-week trial

The Clackamas court jury found McLemore guilty of three of the four charges: first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual assault. Only one additional charge of second-degree sexual assault was not retained.

The events date back to October 3, 2021, during a party at Robert Covington’s home, who was then McLemore’s teammate on the Portland Trail Blazers. According to the prosecution, the victim, heavily intoxicated, passed out on a couch around 2 AM. She partially regained consciousness the next morning when McLemore sexually assaulted her.

McLemore had pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense maintained that the encounter was consensual and that the woman was sober enough to consent.

A case that impacted the community

« Many people are often afraid to report this type of behavior, » said Scott Healy, Chief Deputy District Attorney of Clackamas County. « I hope the victim’s strength and courage in this case will give others the strength to come forward. »

The victim, who spoke via video during the hearing, testified about the impact of this ordeal. « These have been the longest four years of my life, » she says. « I never imagined that reporting this in 2021 would lead to such a difficult and long journey. »

McLemore, seventh pick in the 2013 NBA draft, played for nine seasons in the NBA for five different teams: Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. He hasn’t played in the NBA since 2022 and was continuing his career in China, Greece, and Spain before his arrest by U.S. Marshals in April 2024.