In a verdict delivered on July 3, 2025, a Clackamas County jury in Oregon found former NBA guard Ben McLemore guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse, based on a 2021 incident at a party while he played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Case and Verdict
After an 11-day trial and approximately 10 hours of jury deliberation, McLemore, 32, was convicted of three felony counts and acquitted on a second count of second-degree sexual abuse.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Lake Oswego, Oregon, during the early morning hours of October 3, 2021, at a party hosted at the home of his then-teammate Robert Covington.
Prosecution’s Account
Prosecutors argued the victim was extremely impaired—having vomited earlier in the evening, with witnesses describing slurred speech, difficulty walking, and trouble holding up her head. She eventually passed out on a living room couch around 2 a.m., with McLemore later lying on the same couch.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the woman partially regained consciousness at approximately 6 a.m., during which McLemore committed digital penetration and later sexual intercourse. She was reportedly “fading in and out” of consciousness and in terror.
In her courtroom testimony, the victim said: “You can’t do that to somebody, let alone somebody that you don’t know… I don’t care who you are.”
Defense Statement and McLemore’s Response
McLemore maintained from the outset that the sexual encounter was consensual. In a statement shared last year, he said: “I did not rape this woman. I am not sexually abusive. I have never pursued a sexual relationship when I understood the woman was not interested in me and acting willingly.”
During his testimony at trial, McLemore claimed that the woman woke him by touching him, and that he left the residence immediately afterwards. He testified he had no conversation with her before, during, or after the encounter.
Defense attorneys argued the case was about two people getting drunk, and the man being drunker than the woman. According to court filings, attorney Lisa Maxfield urged the jury that the only reasonable verdict was not guilty in such circumstances.
Comments from Prosecuting Authorities
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth emphasized the case sends a clear message: “Not in Clackamas County. This case demonstrates my office prosecutes criminal acts regardless of the offender’s community status.”
Legal Process Overview
A Clackamas County grand jury indicted McLemore in February 2024, after hearing testimony from the victim and others. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals in April 2024.
McLemore had pled not guilty to all four counts before the trial. The conviction on three counts marks a serious turning point in the case.
Sentencing and Potential Sentence
McLemore faces sentencing on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. PT in Clackamas County Circuit Court.
Under Oregon law, first-degree rape and first-degree unlawful sexual penetration carry mandatory minimum sentences of approximately 100 months (about 8.3 years), up to 20 years. Second-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony with up to 5 years in prison.
Impact on McLemore’s Career and Reputation
McLemore was drafted seventh overall in 2013 by the Sacramento Kings and spent nine seasons in the NBA with several teams including the Grizzlies, Rockets, Lakers, and Trail Blazers. He last played in the NBA during the 2021–22 season before moving overseas to play in China, Greece, Spain and Turkey.
The conviction marks a devastating blow to both his professional basketball career and public reputation, as a once-promising NBA guard falls from grace.
Broader Issues Raised by the Case
Victim advocates and legal analysts note that this case underscores critical issues around consent, intoxication, and how courts handle allegations involving celebrity or athlete status. The victim testified she pursued the criminal case not for financial gain but on principle: “you can’t do that to somebody, let alone somebody that you don’t know.”
The prosecution’s assertion that intoxication negated consent highlights ongoing debates about how severely courts treat cases where one party is incapacitated. The evidence presented included photos of the victim slumped over a toilet and passed out on a couch.
Next Steps and Sentencing Outlook
The sentencing hearing on July 9 will be crucial. Prosecutors may push for a sentence near the mandatory minimum for the Class A felonies; the defense may request leniency. McLemore’s lack of prior criminal record could be a factor, though the severity of the offenses looms large.
After sentencing, McLemore may be eligible for appeal. But given the jury’s verdict and the consistency of testimony, overturning the conviction would be challenging.
Conclusion
Ben McLemore’s conviction represents a pivotal moment in the justice system’s engagement with high-profile defendants. The Clackamas County jury clearly rejected his version of events, siding with the victim’s account and the prosecutor’s portrayal of extreme intoxication and incapacitation.
This case will likely remain a reference point in policies and training around consent, particularly in litigation involving alcohol-impaired individuals. It also serves as a cautionary tale for professional athletes about personal conduct and accountability.
As McLemore awaits sentencing, the fallout will continue across the basketball world, legal circles, and public discourse on sexual violence and accountability.
