Former Trail Blazer Ben McLemore adamantly denied charges that he raped and sexually abused an incapacitated woman in Lake Oswego in 2021.
His denial came one day after McLemore appeared in court to hear the charges against him and posted bail to get out of Clackamas County Jail.
“I did not rape this woman,” McLemore said in a one-page written statement Thursday. “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.”
He added: “The truth will come to light. I am confident we will prevail and my name will be cleared.”
McLemore, 31, said he and his attorneys have cooperated fully with the investigation, which according to him, alleges that he “had sex with a woman who was too intoxicated to consent.” He said he “indicated that I was interested in testifying in the grand jury but was refused that opportunity.”
McLemore, who is currently listed on the team roster of a Spanish basketball club, also said that when he learned charges would be filed, he “immediately made plans for me to return to the United States for the first court appearance.”
McLemore played one season with the Blazers in 2021-22 and is no longer with the NBA. He was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse – charges that, if he’s convicted, would send him to prison for at least eight years and four months under Oregon’s Measure 11.
Clackamas County Circuit Judge Katherine Weber set bail Wednesday at $500,000, and McLemore posted the necessary $50,000 later that afternoon to be released from Clackamas custody. He had spent the previous night in Multnomah County detention after flying to Oregon through Portland International Airport.
McLemore appeared in court remotely, by video link from the jail. He made no statements during the hearing, but answered in the affirmative when the judge asked him if he understood conditions of his release.
An indictment accuses him of rape because the woman wasn’t able to consent for reasons that include “mental incapacitation” or “physical helplessness.”
Lake Oswego Police said in a press release Wednesday that the allegations stem from events in October 2021 at a home in the 1200 block of Cherry Lane in Lake Oswego.
McLemore has not played in the NBA since his lone season in Portland. He has played overseas for teams in China, Greece and Spain.
McLemore played college basketball at Kansas before the Sacramento Kings selected him with the No. 7 pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He spent four seasons in Sacramento before stints with Memphis, the Kings again, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ben McLemore’s full statement reads as follows:
“The charges I was handed in court yesterday appear to allege that in 2021 I had sex with a woman who was too intoxicated to consent.
I am not accused of using physical force to rape someone. Rather, I am accused of engaging in sexual activity with someone who now claims she did not consent.
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.
The allegation dates back to October of 2021, during a time I played in Portland. It will take some time for us to uncover the facts. At this time, the prosecution has not provided my attorneys with any reports or evidence.
My attorneys and I cooperated fully with the investigation. I met every request they made of me, immediately and professionally. I indicated that I was interested in testifying in the grand jury but was refused that opportunity. When my attorneys were informed of the charges, we immediately made plans for me to return to the United States for the first court appearance – and informed all law enforcement authorities and the Court of my travel plan. I could not have done more to assist in the process.
The truth will come to light. I am confident we will prevail and my name will be cleared.
Thank you all for your support. I appreciate all of you and am confident this will turn out as it should.”.
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