Ben McLemore convicted of rape at team party

In October 2021, an incident of sexual assault occurred at a lake house party organized by Robert Covington, a then-teammate of Ben McLemore on the Portland Trail Blazers, in Oregon. A 21-year-old woman attended the party and was reported to have consumed significant amounts of alcohol, leading her to be incapacitated. Witnesses indicated she exhibited signs of severe intoxication, such as slurred speech and inability to maintain consciousness. The woman eventually passed out on a couch around 2 a.m., and when she partially regained consciousness around 6 a.m., she was sexually assaulted by McLemore. Following a trial that lasted 11 days, a jury in Clackamas County, Oregon, convicted McLemore, 32, of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and second-degree sexual abuse, but he was acquitted of another second-degree sexual abuse charge. The trial's conclusion prompted a statement from the District Attorney highlighting that the prosecution pursued the case irrespective of McLemore's celebrity status, emphasizing that criminal acts will be prosecuted uniformly in Clackamas County. McLemore could face a substantial sentence in prison, with a minimum of eight years pending the judge’s decision on the concurrent or consecutive nature of the sentences, which could total up to 45 years if served consecutively. The case stirred significant media attention, as it involved a public figure and raised discussions regarding consent and accountability, particularly in situations involving intoxication. McLemore had played nine seasons in the NBA and, following his departure from the league, was involved in professional basketball overseas. The developments in this case underline the legal responses to sexual assault allegations, especially towards people in influential positions.