OREGON CITY, Ore. — Former NBA lottery pick Ben McLemore was arraigned Wednesday in Clackamas County on four sex-crime charges, stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in Lake Oswego in 2021, when McLemore was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.
McLemore was arrested Tuesday at Portland International Airport on an outstanding felony warrant. On Wednesday, he was formally charged in Clackamas County Circuit Court on one charge of first-degree rape and one charge of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration. Both are A-level felonies and carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. McLemore was also charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, both C-level felonies that carry maximum penalties of five years in prison.
McLemore denied the allegations in a statement issued on Thursday. He said in part:
"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."
Why did it take so long for McLemore to be charged?
The Lake Oswego Police Department said the assault happened Oct. 3, 2021 and was reported that same day. A woman told police she'd been sexually assaulted at a home in Lake Oswego and identified McLemore as the suspect.
Police connected the woman with a victim's advocate, then started to collect evidence and launched an investigation. The investigation was delayed, police said, because McLemore moved out of state and began traveling overseas as he played basketball in other countries. Since the 2021-22 season with the Blazers, his final season in the NBA, McLemore signed contracts with professional basketball teams in China, Greece and Spain.
A grand jury in Clackamas County heard evidence in the case in February 2024, including testimony from the woman, and issued a secret indictment against McLemore and a warrant for his arrest.
Court documents suggest the survivor was incapable of consent due to mental and physical limitations.
"We applaud the courage of the survivor to come forward and put herself through this arduous process, and we will continue to support her in any way we can," police said.
What comes next?
McLemore was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Clackamas County Circuit Court. According to ESPN, he was released from jail by Wednesday evening. Bail was set at $500,000, so McLemore was required to post $50,000.
McLemore's next court hearing is July 1 at 10 a.m. at Clackamas County Circuit Court.
A spokesperson with the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office said the July 1 hearing is a "status check with the court to determine whether the case needs to be set for trial or whether more time is needed by the parties before determining whether a trial is necessary."