Ben McLemore to finish season with Breogan amid rape charges / News - Basketnews.com

Ben McLemore will finish the 2023-24 season with Rio Breogan in Spain. The former NBA player returned from the US, where he's facing sexual assault charges.

Credit: Javier Borrego/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire Credit Javier Borrego/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire

When last Sunday, Ben McLemore was left out of Rio Breogan's squad for the duel against Baskonia, some thought the move was associated with the accusations of rape and other sexual crimes that the player is facing back in the United States.

Ben McLemore

MIN:25.18PTS:13.69 (47.18%)REB:2.77As:1.46ST:1BL:0.38TO:2.31GM:13ProfileACB2023/2024

However, the Spanish club announced that McLemore will remain on the team and will play for the remainder of the season. Breogan also clarified the reasons for their decision.

"Once the player's current legal situation has been verified, it is stated that the judicial authority authorizes him to freely use his passport to, among other aspects, continue providing labor and sports services in our club," the club's release reads.

"The player showed his complete willingness to continue collaborating with justice and to continue with his clear commitment to the club, the squad and the coaching staff. The club has always expressed and reiterates the most absolute rejection of any type of violence and, likewise, expresses and requests respect for the principle of presumption of innocence."

A week ago, McLemore had traveled with permission from his team to the US to attend to a legal claim for a complaint filed last February. He was arrested upon arrival as he's been accused of sex crimes, allegedly committed on October 3, 2021, when he was still playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. He will have to testify as a defendant on July 1.

McLemore was released a day later after paying a bail of $50,000. Breogan denied knowing the reasons why he had requested permission to travel to the US. Hence, the player was expected to return on Thursday to prepare for the match against Baskonia. However, his arrest caused everything to be delayed and he finally arrived in Lugo early Sunday morning.

McLemore played in the NBA between 2013 and 2022. He was selected 7th in the 2013 NBA Draft and has appeared in teams such as the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers.

He then played in Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin in the Chinese Basketball Association before moving to AEK Athens and then to Rio Breogan. His last appearance with the Spanish team was on April 6 against Zunder Palencia in the Liga Endesa.

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