The former NBA guard Ben McLemore was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Oregon on Tuesday and hit with multiple charges related to allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman back in 2021 during his time playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.
McLemore Arrested – Charged With Rape
ESPN reported that McLemore, 31, was arrested at Portland International Airport on an outstanding felony warrant for one charge of first-degree rape, one charge of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two charges of second-degree sexual abuse. If convicted, the charges would send him to prison for at least eight years and four months under Oregon’s Measure 11.
McLemore’s bail was set at $500,000 on Wednesday, and he was freed from the Clackamas County later that afternoon after he posted the $50,000 that was necessary for release.
McLemore had not played in the NBA since 2022, and has been playing professionally in Spain in the years since then.
‘I Did Not Rape This Woman’
McLemore spoke out on Thursday to proclaim his innocence in a brief statement.
“I did not rape this woman,” McLemore said, according to The Chronicle. “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 truth will come to light. I am confident we will prevail and my name will be cleared,” he continued, going on to add that he and his attorneys have fully cooperated with the investigation, which he claims alleges that he “had sex with a woman who was too intoxicated to consent.”
McLemore went on to say that he “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,” he concluded. “Thank you all for your support. I appreciate all of you and am confident this will turn out as it should.”
Related: Conor McGregor Faces Allegations That He Raped A Woman At The NBA Finals
Case Against McLemore
The Lake Oswego Police released a statement saying that the charges that McLemore has been hit with stem from events that allegedly took place in October of 2021 at a home in the 1200 block of Cherry Lane in Lake Oswego. Back in February, a Clackamas County grand jury heard the evidence against McLemore, including testimony from his alleged female victim, who accused him of sexually assaulting her.
“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,” the police said.
McLemore previously played college basketball at Kansas before the Sacramento Kings selected him with the No. 7 pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He played for the Kings for four season before he played stints with Memphis, the Kings again, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this case develops in the weeks and months to come.