Ben McLemore will be sentenced to 8 years in prison for rape and sexual assault
A judge handed down the sentence after McLemore was found guilty of one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of second-degree sexual abuse.
Former Kansas Jayhawks basketball standout Ben McLemore was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted earlier this month of rape and other charges stemming from a 2021 sexual assault.
McLemore played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021–22 NBA season.
The charges relate to an assault that occurred on Oct. 3, 2021, during a party in Oregon.
“We recognize there are those who fear individuals with celebrity status or a position of prominence can avoid prosecution. Not in Clackamas County,” District Attorney John Wentworth said.
“This case demonstrates my office prosecutes criminal acts regardless of the offender’s community status.”
During the trial, McLemore’s attorneys argued the victim initiated activity and it was consent.
