Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Found Guilty of Raping Woman at Lake House Party

Strategic Insights -

A 32-year-old former NBA player, Ben McLemore, was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old woman at a lake house party attended by his teammates from the Portland Trail Blazers. The jury in Clackamas County, Oregon, ruled McLemore guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse. The charges stemmed from a party at the home of McLemore's teammate Robert Covington on October 3, 2021. The woman testified that she was incapacitated due to heavy drinking and unable to give consent. McLemore's attorney argued that the sex was consensual. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Key Takeaways:

  • McLemore, a former NBA player, was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old woman at a lake house party.
  • The charges stemmed from a party at the home of McLemore's teammate Robert Covington on October 3, 2021.
  • The woman testified that she was incapacitated due to heavy drinking and unable to give consent.
  • McLemore claimed that the sex was consensual, and his attorney argued that the woman was not incapacitated.
  • McLemore's attorney also stated that McLemore left the party immediately after the incident due to an angry message from his then-wife.
  • The jury found McLemore guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse, but not guilty on another count of sexual abuse.
  • McLemore's sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday.
  • McLemore played in the NBA for several teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Memphis, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Statistics:

  • McLemore was found guilty on three counts: rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse.
  • The woman testified that McLemore pulled her back onto the couch and continued the assault after she let her body slide to the floor in an effort to stop it.
  • McLemore's defense team argued that the sex was consensual, but the jury disagreed.
  • McLemore was a seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.
  • McLemore has played in Europe and China since his last NBA season with Portland in 2021-2022.
  • McLemore signed with a team in Turkey last August.

Sources:

  • The Oregonian/Oregon Live
  • Associated Press
  • Portland television station KGW