Former NBA player Ben McLemore has been found guilty of rape by a jury in Clackamas County, Oregon. The verdict was delivered Thursday following a trial that examined events at a lake house party in October 2021.
The jury convicted McLemore, 32, on charges of rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse. He was acquitted on a second count of sexual abuse. The incident in question occurred at the home of McLemore’s then-teammate Robert Covington of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the statements from both sides. Prosecutors argued that the sexual encounter constituted rape, while McLemore’s defense team maintained it was consensual. The 21-year-old victim testified that she was incapacitated due to alcohol consumption and unable to give consent. McLemore, while acknowledging his intoxication, claimed the act was consensual.
District Attorney John Wentworth emphasized that celebrity status does not preclude prosecution in Clackamas County. This case raises important questions about accountability and the handling of sexual assault allegations involving public figures.
McLemore, drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2013, has played for several NBA teams and most recently in international leagues. His career trajectory now faces a significant turning point with this conviction.
The prosecution submitted photographic evidence of the victim’s intoxicated state, while the defense pointed to witness testimony suggesting flirtatious behavior earlier in the evening. The jury’s decision indicates they found the prosecution’s case more convincing.
Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday. The verdict’s impact on McLemore’s professional future and the broader conversation about consent and accountability in professional sports remains to be seen.
