2 months ago
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Former NBA first-round pick Ben McLemore has been sentenced to more than eight years in an Oregon state prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
McLemore has been ordered to serve 100 months on a first-degree rape charge, a first-degree unlawful sexual penetration charge, and a count of second-degree sexual abuse.
A jury did not find him guilty on another count of second-degree sexual abuse.
McLemore, aged 32, has not played in the NBA since 2022, having last played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Additionally, he suited up for the Sacramento Kings (who drafted him seventh-overall in 2013), the Memphis Grizzlies, the Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his career.
McLemore pled not guilty to all four counts he faced and did not address the court as he was sentenced.
'Many people are often afraid to report this type of conduct for a number of reasons,' Clackamas County First Assistant District Attorney Scott Healy said in a statement.
'Hopefully the victim's strength and courage in this case will give others the fortitude to come forward in circumstances where sexual assault has occurred.
'The sentence the defendant received today should serve as a reminder that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in our community, and that the Clackamas County DA's Office will always work hard to hold offenders accountable and provide justice to victims.'
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