Ben McLemore

Here’s a detailed biography and profile of Ben McLemore:

Ben McLemore – Life, Career, and Controversies


Ben McLemore – from standout Kansas guard to NBA veteran and international pro, with highs, challenges, and legal controversy. Full biography, career arc, and lessons.

Introduction

Ben McLemore III (born February 11, 1993) is an American basketball player known for his early promise as a shooting guard, his career in the NBA and abroad, and more recently for serious legal issues.

His journey is a blend of athletic highs and personal challenges — offering a cautionary, complex story rather than a simple heroic arc.

Early Life, Family & Youth

  • McLemore was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.

  • He grew up in humble circumstances; his mother, Sonya Reid, raised him and his siblings.

  • He is one of six children.

  • His brother Kevin died in 2018.

  • In 2015, the street where he grew up (Wellston Avenue) was renamed Ben McLemore III Place in his honor.

High School

  • McLemore played high school basketball at Wellston High School in St. Louis until it closed in 2010.

  • After that, he attended Oak Hill Academy in Virginia and Christian Life Center in Texas during his senior year.

  • He was a highly rated recruit: Rivals ranked him a four-star, the No. 9 shooting guard in his class, and No. 34 overall nationally.

College Career

  • McLemore committed to University of Kansas.

  • Due to attendance at multiple high schools, he was initially ruled ineligible to play in his first year—but allowed to practice with the team.

  • Once eligible, he played the 2012–13 season, averaging 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 49.5% overall, 42.0% from three, and 87.0% from the free-throw line.

  • His strong season earned him First Team All-Big 12 honors and a place as a consensus second-team All-American.

Professional Career

Entering the NBA

  • McLemore declared for the 2013 NBA Draft, and was selected 7th overall by the Sacramento Kings.

  • In his rookie year, he played all 82 games (55 starts), averaging 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game.

  • He won Western Conference Rookie of the Month (November 2013) and also competed in the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

NBA Journeys & Moves

McLemore’s time in the NBA was marked by several team changes and fluctuations in performance:

PeriodTeam(s)Highlights / Notes
2013–2017Sacramento KingsHe had periods of solid output (e.g. 2014–15 season with ~12.1 ppg). 2017–2018Memphis Grizzlies / G LeagueSigned multi-year deal with Memphis; had injury (foot fracture) in pickup game. 2018–2019Back to Sacramento KingsTraded back; eventually waived in February 2019. 2019–2021Houston RocketsRe-signed; had back-to-back 20+ point games in December 2019. 2021Los Angeles LakersSigned in April, played off the bench. 2021–2022Portland Trail BlazersLast NBA team he played for.

He also played internationally after his NBA career:

  • In 2023: Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin in China

  • Later in 2023: AEK Athens in Greece (contract mutually terminated December 2023)

  • Then moved to Río Breogán (Spain) for 2023–2024 season.

  • In 2024–2025, he joined Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli in Turkey’s BSL league.

Playing Style & Strengths

  • McLemore was known for shooting ability, particularly from long range, drawing comparisons to Ray Allen in terms of shot style.

  • He had athleticism and capable movement, which helped in transition offense and perimeter spacing.

  • However, consistency was a challenge — his shooting efficiency and role fluctuated over seasons, making him more of a role player than a star.

Personal Life & Controversies

  • McLemore has had children; his first child, Teagan, was born in March 2017.

  • His brother Kevin’s passing in 2018 was a personal tragedy.

  • In March 2024, he was involved in a drunk driving incident in Lugo, Spain.

Legal Issues & Conviction

  • In April 2024, McLemore was arrested in Clackamas County, Oregon on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, stemming from a 2021 incident at a party in Lake Oswego.

  • A jury found him guilty in July 2025 on three counts (rape, unlawful sexual penetration, and one count of sexual abuse).

  • He was sentenced to 100 months (approx. 8+ years) in Oregon state prison.

  • The case has been widely covered in media, highlighting issues of consent, accountability, and the fallibility of public figures.

Legacy, Lessons & Reflection

Ben McLemore’s biography offers a blend of promise, perseverance, and caution. Some reflections:

  • Talent is not enough: Early promise (high draft, elite college performance) must be matched by consistency, discipline, and adaptability.

  • Public figures are accountable: Achievements don’t place someone above the law; the legal conviction shows real consequences for wrongdoing.

  • Transitions are hard: McLemore’s journey through multiple teams and overseas play shows how competitive and unstable a professional sports career can be.

  • Personal choices matter: In high-visibility careers, off-court behavior can overshadow on-court achievements.

  • Complex human stories: His story isn’t purely heroic or tragic — there are successes, failures, and moral reckonings all intertwined.

Recent news on McLemore
Articles by the author

My mom is proud of me. I just want to keep working hard so one day I can help my family. I am going to get a big house one day, and we all can stay in it and eat.

Ben McLemore