Former NBA player Ben McLemore has been convicted of raping a 21-year-old woman during a lakeside team house party in 2021, as determined by a Clackamas County jury in Washington on Thursday. After approximately 10 hours of deliberation, the 12-person jury found the 32-year-old former NBA guard guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and sexual abuse. However, McLemore was acquitted on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
District Attorney John Wentworth emphasized the impartiality of the justice system in his statement, saying, “We recognize there are those who fear individuals with celebrity status or a position of prominence can avoid prosecution. Not in Clackamas County. This case demonstrates my office prosecutes criminal acts, regardless of the offender’s community status.”
Details of the Incident
The charges against McLemore stem from an incident at a Lake Oswego gathering in 2021. According to prosecutors, McLemore raped and digitally penetrated a heavily intoxicated, partially unconscious woman at a party hosted by his then-teammate on the Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Covington. Prosecutors argued that McLemore was aware of the victim’s inebriated state, noting that he saw her vomit and helped her onto a couch where he later assaulted her.
Witnesses testified that the woman, who was a Vancouver resident at the time, exhibited signs of severe intoxication, including difficulty walking, slurred speech, and an inability to lift her head before passing out on the couch around 2 a.m. “She was physically helpless when he did this to her,” First Assistant District Attorney Scott Healy stated to the jury. “He also did not have consent to do that to her.”
Defense and Reaction
McLemore’s attorney, Kristen Winemiller, expressed surprise at the verdict but commended the judicial process. “We had a jury that worked incredibly hard and took it seriously and the same is true with the judge,” she said. The defense argued that the woman had agency, with defense attorney Lisa Maxfield telling the jury, “This is the 21st century. Adult women, like men, have agency. They’re not stuffed animals. Like men, they are grown adults who make adult choices.”
Covington, who owned the home where the incident took place, testified that he saw the woman attempting to initiate sexual contact with McLemore before leaving the room. McLemore initially denied any sexual contact with the woman to the police but later claimed she initiated it after learning of a DNA analysis conducted by authorities.
Implications and Sentencing
McLemore, who exited the NBA in 2022 and has since played basketball in Europe and Asia, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least eight years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for next week, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about accountability and justice for sexual assault victims, particularly involving high-profile individuals.
The conviction of McLemore underscores the legal system’s commitment to addressing sexual crimes, regardless of the accused’s status. As the case unfolds further, it may influence how similar cases are perceived and prosecuted in the future, highlighting the importance of ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence.
Meanwhile, the broader implications of this case continue to resonate, particularly in the sports community, where issues of consent and power dynamics are increasingly scrutinized. As McLemore awaits sentencing, the case serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that come with public visibility and the ongoing need for vigilance in addressing sexual misconduct.