Ben McLemore, once a guard for the Portland Trail Blazers and a former seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, was convicted of raping a woman during a house party in 2021. A jury in Clackamas County, Oregon, found McLemore guilty on multiple charges of rape and sexual abuse, although he was acquitted of one second-degree sexual abuse charge. At 32 years old and having pleaded not guilty, McLemore faced the charges stemming from an incident that unfolded on October 3, 2021, at a gathering at the Lake Oswego residence of his ex-teammate, Robert Covington. While preparing for the NBA season, McLemore was part of the Portland roster.

He was later arrested at Portland International Airport in April 2024 in connection with the case, following outstanding warrants issued against him. The trial lasted nearly two weeks, with the woman testifying about her incapacitation from excessive alcohol consumption, which rendered her unable to give consent. McLemore, however, claimed that the encounter was consensual.

After completing the 2021-22 season, he continued his career overseas in various leagues, including those in China, Greece, and Spain. Authorities noted that his international moves delayed the investigative process; nonetheless, evidence accumulation was ongoing. By February 2024, a grand jury in Clackamas County indicted him after reviewing the gathered evidence and listening to the victim’s testimony.

McLemore played a total of nine seasons in the NBA, having been initially drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2013. His journey included stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers before concluding with the Trail Blazers, his last NBA team.