Ex-Trail Blazer Ben McLemore has been charged with rape and other offenses
Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was arrested on Tuesday and jailed in Oregon on sex crime charges. The allegations stem from an incident in 2021 when McLemore was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. The charges include first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse. McLemore, 31 years old, hasn’t played in the NBA since 2022 and was recently playing professionally in Spain. He was arrested at the Portland International Airport on an outstanding felony warrant. U.S. Marshals made the arrest, according to Lake Oswego, Oregon police.
The incident took place on October 3, 2021, in Lake Oswego, and police began investigating after receiving a report of sexual assault. McLemore was identified as a suspect. He left Oregon during the investigation, causing delays, but detectives continued to gather evidence. In February, a Clackamas County grand jury heard evidence in the case and issued an indictment against McLemore, along with an arrest warrant.
McLemore played for the Trail Blazers before competing overseas for professional teams in China, Greece, and Spain. He last played with the Spanish team Rio Breogan. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center before being transferred to the Clackamas County Jail. McLemore was arraigned in Clackamas County Circuit Court and was released on bail after posting $50,000 of his $500,000 bail.
McLemore’s lawyer and representatives have not yet commented on the situation. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 1 in Oregon. McLemore was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft and played for the Sacramento Kings and four other teams during his nine-year NBA career. In February 2014, McLemore was chosen to compete in the 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk contest. He had an impressive performance in the Kings’ final game of the regular season on April 16, scoring a season-high 31 points, although the team lost to the Phoenix Suns. During his rookie season, McLemore played in all 82 games, starting in 55 of them. He averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 26.7 minutes per game.
In July 2014, McLemore rejoined the Kings for the 2014 NBA Summer League, where he played a key role in helping them win the championship. He averaged 12.6 points in seven games. On October 19, 2014, the Kings exercised their third-year team option on McLemore’s rookie scale contract, extending it through the 2015-16 season. McLemore had another standout game on March 11, 2015, scoring 27 points in a win against the Charlotte Hornets. He started in all 82 regular-season games for the Kings in the 2014-15 season, averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 32.6 minutes per game.On October 3, 2015, the Kings exercised their fourth-year team option on McLemore’s contract, extending it through the 2016-17 season. McLemore had a strong performance on December 5, 2015, scoring 19 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in a game against the Houston Rockets. He achieved a season-high 26 points on January 28, 2016, but the Kings lost to the New Orleans Pelicans. On February 1, McLemore missed his first game in his career due to a sprained right wrist, ending his consecutive games streak at 211, which was the second-longest in the NBA at the time. He also missed 10 games in March due to a finger-tip injury.
On February 10, 2017, McLemore scored a season-high 22 points, including six three-pointers, in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. He tied his season high with 22 points on March 29, 2017, in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
McLemore signed a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on July 7, 2017. However, he suffered a fractured right foot during a pickup game on August 8, 2017, which sidelined him for approximately 12 weeks. He was assigned to the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle on November 2, 2017, but was recalled one week later. McLemore made his debut for the Grizzlies on November 11, 2017, scoring four points and grabbing two rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets. On December 9, 2017, he scored a season-high 17 points in an overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. McLemore achieved another season high with 21 points on January 19, 2018, in a win over his former team, the Sacramento Kings.
McLemore returned to the Sacramento Kings on July 17, 2018, in a trade that involved Garrett Temple. However, he was waived by the Kings on February 7, 2019.
McLemore then joined the Houston Rockets, where he played from 2019 to 2021. On July 23, 2019, McLemore signed with the Houston Rockets. He had a standout performance on December 5, 2019, leading the Rockets in scoring with a season-high 28 points. He shot 8-of-17 from behind the three-point arc in a 119–109 win against the Toronto Raptors. Just two days later, on December 7, 2019, McLemore had another impressive game, scoring 27 points on 10-of-15 field goal shooting. He made 5-of-9 shots from beyond the arc in a 115–109 win against the Phoenix Suns. This was the first time in his career that McLemore had contributed more than 25 points in consecutive games.
The Rockets decided to waive McLemore on April 3, 2021. However, he quickly found a new team and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on April 6. He made his debut for the Lakers on April 8, scoring 6 points off the bench in a loss against the Miami Heat.
McLemore’s journey continued on August 5, 2021, when he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. He made his debut for the team on October 23, scoring six points in a 134–105 win over the Phoenix Suns.In January 2023, McLemore signed a one-year contract with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the CBA. However, he didn’t stay there long and signed with AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League on August 6, 2023. Unfortunately, his contract with AEK Athens was terminated by mutual agreement in December 2023.
McLemore’s newest venture began on December 22, 2023, when he was announced as Club Baloncesto Breogán’s new signing for the remainder of the 2023-24 Liga ACB and Basketball Champions League season. He will wear the number 7 for the Galician club.
News Source-ESPN