Former NBA player Ben McLemore has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual abuse.
On Wednesday (July 9), the ex-Portland Trail Blazer shooting guard received a sentence of 100 months in prison, according to NBC affiliate KGW.
It comes after a jury last week found the 32-year-old guilty of raping and sexually abusing a 21-year-old woman in Lake Oswego, Oregon in October 2021 at the home of Robert Covington — McLemore’s teammate at the time.
"No amount of money could ever undo the damage he caused, and it wasn’t compensation I was seeking — it was justice," the woman told KGW following McLemore’s sentencing.
"At the time of the assault, I had no idea who Mr. McLemore was," she added. "And when I found out, I will admit there was hesitation. I questioned whether I should really move forward and report what had happened, especially given his status. But I couldn’t let it go. No one is above the law, no matter who they are or what position they hold."
Despite pleading not guilty to charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, the jury found McLemore guilty on all counts, except for sexual abuse. His legal counsel argued the sexual encounter was consensual while prosecutors claimed it was rape. McLemore addressed the allegations in a 2024 statement shortly after his arrest.
The former NBA player played for one season with the Trail Blazers between 2021 and 2022. Prior to that, McLemore played stints with the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
After the Trail Blazers, McLemore went on to play professionally overseas in Europe, China and Turkey.
