Former NBA and Spanish player accused of rape

A jury in the state of Oregon on Thursday found former NBA player Ben McLemore guilty of raping a woman in 2021 while he was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers (he played in Spain for Breogán de Lugo in 2023/24).

After about 10 hours of deliberation following an 11-day trial, the Clackamas County jury found 32-year-old McLemore guilty on one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of second-degree sexual abuse. He was also found not guilty on a second count of second-degree sexual abuse. McLemore had pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

"We recognize that there are those who fear that individuals with celebrity status or a prominent position can avoid prosecution. Not in Clackamas County. This case demonstrates that my office prosecutes criminal acts regardless of the community standing of the accused," stated John Wentworth, district attorney of Clackamas County.

The charges stemmed from a report of sexual assault in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on October 3, 2021. Police launched an investigation and identified McLemore as a suspect.

In February 2024, a Clackamas County grand jury heard the case evidence, including the testimony of the woman who claimed McLemore assaulted her, and issued a formal indictment as well as an arrest warrant. Two months later, McLemore was apprehended by U.S. Marshals.

A representative for McLemore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During the trial, prosecutor Scott Healy told the jury that the victim had consumed excessive alcohol, fell asleep on a living room couch around 2 a.m., and only partially regained consciousness the next morning when McLemore digitally penetrated her and then had sexual intercourse with her.

McLemore's attorneys denied the victim's account and argued that she initiated the sexual contact and consented. They also argued that the woman was sober enough to consent, despite both her and McLemore being intoxicated.

McLemore was the seventh pick in the 2013 draft from the University of Kansas and played for five teams over nine seasons in the NBA. After his time with the Trail Blazers, he continued his career in professional leagues in China, Greece, and Spain.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un exjugador NBA y de España, acusado de violación