OREGON CITY, Ore. — A Clackamas County jury has convicted former NBA player Ben McLemore on charges of sexual assault stemming from an incident at a party in 2021. McLemore, 32, was found guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse on Thursday, while he was acquitted of another sexual abuse charge. Sentencing is set for Wednesday.
The case arose from an October 2021 gathering at a lake house owned by McLemore’s Portland Trail Blazers teammate, Robert Covington. Prosecutors argued that McLemore forcibly engaged in sexual acts with a 21-year-old woman who had been drinking heavily at the event and was unable to give consent. The woman testified about her incapacitated state and described waking up during the assault, feeling paralyzed by fear.
In defense, McLemore maintained that the encounter was consensual, asserting that he left the house immediately afterward following a message from his wife seeking an explanation for his whereabouts. His legal team argued that both parties had been drinking and suggested that this should lead to a verdict of not guilty. However, during the trial’s closing arguments, prosecutors emphasized the defendant’s culpability, noting the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Evidence presented included distressing images of the woman passed out on a couch and appearing ill, which the prosecution used to bolster their claims of incapacity. The woman expressed that she did not come forward seeking financial restitution; instead, she felt morally compelled to pursue justice against someone who violated her in such a heinous manner.
The incident has sparked discussions about accountability for individuals in positions of fame and power. Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth stated that the case illustrates unwavering commitment to pursuing justice irrespective of the accused’s public status.
McLemore, who once dazzled on the court after being drafted seventh overall in 2013 by the Sacramento Kings, had a career spanning teams including the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. Recently, he has continued his career overseas, where he signed with a Turkish team last August.