During his time with the Blazers in early October 2021, Lake Oswego police reported a sexual assault involving Ben McLemore. Subsequently, in February, a grand jury chose to indict him.
In a shocking turn of events, former NBA player Ben McLemore, once a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, found himself under arrest at the Portland airport. The accusations? First-degree rape and other sexual crimes. McLemore, 31, faced the judge on Wednesday afternoon, 10th April 2024, in Clackamas County Circuit Court, confronted with charges that include first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse.
The allegations stem from an incident on October 3, 2021, while McLemore was still associated with the Trail Blazers. A woman bravely came forward, reporting a sexual assault that occurred at a residence in a prestigious Lake Oswego neighborhood. Identifying McLemore as the perpetrator, she immediately reported the crime to the authorities. The Lake Oswego Police Department initiated a thorough investigation, collecting evidence and providing support to the survivor through a victim’s advocate. However, McLemore’s relocation out of state and frequent international travels for basketball engagements caused delays in the investigative process.
Despite the hurdles, justice prevailed as a Clackamas County grand jury convened in February of this year. After hearing compelling testimony from the survivor, they issued a secret indictment against McLemore, leading to his arrest by U.S. Marshals at the Portland International Airport.
Amidst the legal proceedings, the police offered unwavering support to the survivor, commending her courage in facing the challenges of the judicial process. McLemore’s arrest marks a startling downfall for a player who once graced the courts of the NBA for nine seasons. His journey in the league saw him don jerseys for five different teams, showcasing his talents on teams like the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and finally, the Portland Trail Blazers.
During his tenure with the Blazers in the 2021–2022 season, McLemore displayed his scoring prowess, appearing in 64 games and averaging 10.2 points in 20.1 minutes per game. However, his career trajectory took a different turn post-NBA, as he ventured into professional basketball overseas. From China to Greece and finally, Spain, McLemore continued to ply his trade on the international stage, most recently suiting up for Río Breogán in Liga ACB.
The news of Ben McLemore’s arrest adds his name to a troubling list of NBA players accused of sexual assault or rape. McLemore joins the ranks of players such as Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers, DeShawn Stevenson of the Utah Jazz, Ruben Patterson of the Seattle SuperSonics, Anthony Mason of the New Orleans Pelicans, David Wingate of the San Antonio Spurs, Geoff Huston of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bernard King of the Utah Jazz, and Tom Payne of the Atlanta Hawks, who have all faced similar allegations in the past. Perhaps this rape case needs further analysis to understand why basketball players tend to be involved in such criminal activities. Investigating potential physical and psychological factors could shed light on this issue and potentially minimize future occurrences among basketball players. The cases involving these players underscore the importance of thorough investigations and proper legal processes to address allegations of sexual assault and rape, ensuring justice for survivors and maintaining the integrity of the sport.
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