Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Sentenced To Over Eight Years in Prison

 

Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was sentenced to over 8 years in Oregon state prison following his conviction for raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman at a 2021 house party in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The verdict, delivered by a Clackamas County jury on July 3, 2025, marked a dramatic fall for the 32-year-old former lottery pick, whose once-promising basketball career has been overshadowed by serious criminal charges. McLemore, who last played in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. 

The case stemmed from an incident on October 3, 2021, at a party hosted by McLemore’s then-teammate Robert Covington. According to court testimony, the victim, a 21-year-old college student, had been drinking heavily and passed out on a living room couch around 2 a.m. Clackamas County prosecutor Scott Healy described her as "hammered unconscious drunk," noting she had vomited earlier and struggled with speech and mobility. Around 6 a.m., McLemore, who had also been drinking, began sleeping on the same couch. Prosecutors stated that the victim regained partial consciousness as McLemore sexually penetrated her with his fingers and then engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse. The victim testified that she was "fading in and out" of consciousness, frightened and traumatized, and attempted to slide off the couch to stop the assault, only for McLemore to pull her back and continue. Later that day, she sought a specialized medical examination for sexual assault victims.

The case has sparked broader conversations about consent, accountability, and the responsibilities of public figures. As McLemore begins his sentence, the victim’s pursuit of justice underscores the challenges survivors face, with her statement highlighting the emotional toll of the nearly four-year process. The outcome serves as a reminder that, as Wentworth stated, no one is above the law, regardless of status.