Wikipedia

Ben McLemore

Ben Edward McLemore III[1][2] (born February 11, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[3] He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks, and was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

Ben McLemore
McLemore in 2024
No. 23 – Yukatel Merkezefendi Basket
PositionShooting guard
LeagueBasketbol Süper Ligi
Personal information
Born (1993-02-11) February 11, 1993 (age 31)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeKansas (2012–2013)
NBA draft2013: 1st round, 7th overall pick
Selected by the Sacramento Kings
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2017Sacramento Kings
2017–2018Memphis Grizzlies
2017→Memphis Hustle
2018–2019Sacramento Kings
2019–2021Houston Rockets
2021Los Angeles Lakers
2021–2022Portland Trail Blazers
2023Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin
2023AEK Athens
2023–2024Río Breogán
2024–presentMerkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

McLemore spent four seasons with the team before signing with the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2017. He was traded back to Sacramento in July 2018 but was waived in February 2019. In July of the same year, McLemore signed with the Houston Rockets. He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in April 2021 and joined the Trail Blazers in August of the same year. He signed with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin in January 2023.

High school career

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McLemore played high school basketball at Wellston High School in St. Louis, Missouri for three years before his school was shut down in 2010. He then attended both Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia and Christian Life Center in Humble, Texas during his senior year of high school.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, McLemore was listed as the No. 9 shooting guard and the No. 34 player in the nation in 2011.[4]

College career

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After committing to Kansas, McLemore was deemed ineligible to play by the NCAA because he attended multiple high schools, resulting in his transcripts being "a little fuzzy".[5] He was allowed to practice with the team and take part in team activities starting in the second semester of the school year.[6]

At the beginning of his college career, McLemore was considered to be either a late first-round or early second-round prospect. However, during his first season as a redshirt freshman, McLemore averaged 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, with 49.5% shooting from the field and 87% shooting from the foul line,[7] and was named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.[8]

After declaring for the 2013 NBA draft, allegations arose that NBA agent Rodney Blackstock had given thousands of dollars in impermissible benefits to McLemore's AAU coach, Darius Cobb, in exchange for Cobb steering McLemore toward certain financial advisers and NBA agents.[9] Lending credence to Cobb's allegations, McLemore had Blackstock on his guest pass list for at least three Kansas home games that season, and subsequently signed Blackstock as his NBA agent.[9] This set of facts caused the launch of an NCAA investigation to determine whether or not Kansas would have to vacate the basketball games in which McLemore played.[9]

Professional career

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Sacramento Kings (2013–2017)

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McLemore during the 2013 NBA draft

McLemore was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2013 NBA draft.[10] On July 13, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Kings and joined them for the 2013 NBA Summer League.[11] He was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November 2013.[12]

In February 2014, McLemore was selected to participate in the 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk contest.[13] In the Kings' final game of the regular season on April 16, McLemore scored a season-high 31 points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.[14] In his rookie season, he played all 82 games (55 starts), averaging 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 26.7 minutes per game.[14]

In July 2014, McLemore re-joined the Kings for the 2014 NBA Summer League where he helped them win the Summer League championship while averaging 12.6 points in seven games. On October 19, 2014, the Kings exercised their third-year team option on McLemore's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.[15] On March 11, 2015, he scored a season-high 27 points in a win over the Charlotte Hornets.[16] He started in all 82 regular season games for the Kings in 2014–15 while averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 32.6 minutes per game.[16]

On October 3, 2015, the Kings exercised their fourth-year team option on McLemore's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.[17] On December 5, he had a season-best game with 19 points and 9 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets.[18] On January 28, 2016, he scored a season-high 26 points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[19] On February 1, McLemore missed his first game of his career due to a sprained right wrist, snapping his consecutive games streak at 211, which was the second-longest in the NBA behind Tristan Thompson (335).[20] He later missed 10 games in March with a finger-tip injury.[21]

On February 10, 2017, McLemore had a season-high 22 points, helped by a career-best six three-pointers, in a 108–107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[22] On March 29, 2017, he tied a season high with 22 points in a 112–82 loss to the Utah Jazz.[23]

Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2018)

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On July 7, 2017, McLemore signed a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.[24] On August 8, 2017, he was ruled out for approximately 12 weeks after fracturing his right foot in a pickup game.[25] On November 2, 2017, McLemore was assigned to the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League.[26] He was recalled a week later,[27] and made his debut for the Grizzlies on November 11, 2017, recording four points and two rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench in a 111–96 loss to the Houston Rockets.[28] On December 9, 2017, he scored a season-high 17 points in a 102–101 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[29] On January 19, 2018, he set a new season high with 21 points in a 106–88 win over the Sacramento Kings.[30]

Return to Sacramento (2018–2019)

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On July 17, 2018, McLemore was traded, along with Deyonta Davis, a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Garrett Temple.[31] On February 7, 2019, McLemore was waived by the Kings.[32]

Houston Rockets (2019–2021)

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McLemore with the Houston Rockets

On July 23, 2019, McLemore signed with the Houston Rockets.[33]

On December 5, 2019, McLemore led the Rockets in scoring with a season-high 28 points, on top of career-best 8-of-17 shooting from behind the three-point arc in a 119–109 win against the Toronto Raptors.[34][35] On December 7, 2019, McLemore finished with 27 points on 10-of-15 field goal shooting (5-of-9 from beyond the arc) in a 115–109 win against the Phoenix Suns, which is the first time he has contributed more than 25 points in consecutive games in his career.[36][37]

On April 3, 2021, the Rockets waived McLemore.[38]

Los Angeles Lakers (2021)

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On April 6, 2021, McLemore signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[39] On April 8, he made his debut in a loss against the Miami Heat, scoring 6 points off the bench.[40]

Portland Trail Blazers (2021–2022)

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On August 5, 2021, McLemore signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.[41] He made his debut for the team on October 23, scoring six points in a 134–105 win over the Phoenix Suns.[42]

Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin (2023)

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On January 31, 2023, McLemore signed a one-year contract with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the CBA.[43]

AEK Athens (2023)

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On August 6, 2023, McLemore signed with AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League, his first European club.[44] His contract was terminated by mutual agreement in December 2023.[45]

Río Breogán (2023–2024)

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On December 22, 2023, McLemore was announced as Club Baloncesto Breogán's new signing for the remainder of the 2023-24 Liga ACB and Basketball Champions League season. He will wear number 7 for the Galician club.[46]

Yukatel Merkezefendi (2024–present)

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On August 22, 2024, he signed with Yukatel Merkezefendi of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[47]

Player profile

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Before he was drafted, McLemore's size, style of play, and abilities had garnered comparisons to former NBA All-Star Ray Allen.[48][49][50]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Sacramento 82 55 26.7 .376 .320 .804 2.9 1.0 .5 .2 8.8
2014–15 Sacramento 82 82* 32.6 .437 .358 .813 2.9 1.7 .9 .2 12.1
2015–16 Sacramento 68 53 21.2 .429 .362 .718 2.2 1.2 .8 .1 7.8
2016–17 Sacramento 61 26 19.3 .430 .382 .753 2.1 .8 .5 .1 8.1
2017–18 Memphis 56 17 19.5 .421 .346 .828 2.5 .9 .7 .3 7.5
2018–19 Sacramento 19 0 8.3 .391 .415 .667 .9 .2 .3 .1 3.9
2019–20 Houston 71 23 22.8 .444 .400 .746 2.2 .8 .6 .2 10.1
2020–21 Houston 32 4 16.8 .357 .331 .719 2.1 .9 .6 .1 7.4
L.A. Lakers 21 1 17.5 .390 .368 .762 1.6 .5 .1 .3 8.0
2021–22 Portland 64 6 20.1 .401 .362 .818 1.6 .9 .6 .2 10.2
Career 556 267 22.5 .414 .363 .780 2.3 1.0 .6 .2 9.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Houston 11 0 11.8 .375 .389 — 1.0 .5 .4 .0 4.0
2021 L.A. Lakers 4 0 9.0 .222 .333 — 1.8 .3 .3 .0 1.5
Career 15 0 11.1 .347 .381 — 1.2 .5 .3 .0 3.3

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012–13 Kansas 37 36 32.2 .495 .420 .870 5.2 2.0 1.0 .7 15.9

Personal life

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On July 4, 2015, Wellston Avenue, the street on which McLemore grew up, was renamed Ben McLemore III Place in his honor.[51]

In March 2017, McLemore's first child, Teagan, was born.[52]

In March 2024, McLemore was involved in a drunken driving incident in Lugo, Spain.[53]

On April 10, 2024, McLemore was arrested by Clackamas County (Oregon) Sheriff's Office on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The charges combine for a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.[54]

References

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  1. ^ "Ben McLemore - 2012-13 Men's Basketball Roster". kuathletics.com. June 18, 2013.
  2. ^ Keegan, Tom. Rising above: Ben Mclemore elevates above adversity, Lawrence Journal-World, December 5, 2012.
  3. ^ "Επίσημο: Στην Μπρεογάν ο ΜάκΛεμορ". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ben McLemore Recruiting Profile". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  5. ^ Keeley, Sean (October 14, 2011). "Kansas Declares Freshmen Ben McLemore, Jamari Traylor Ineligible". SBNation.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  6. ^ Bedore, Gary. "KU freshmen Ben McLemore, Jamari Traylor ineligible for 2011-12 season / LJWorld.com". .ljworld.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  7. ^ 23 Ben McLemore, G Kansas Jayhawks. "Ben McLemore, Kansas, NCAA Basketball". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Withey, McLemore Named to Wooden Finalist List". ThroughThePhog.com. March 9, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c Auerbach, Nicole (June 28, 2013). "Why Ben McLemore chose Rodney Blackstock as his agent". USA Today.
  10. ^ "KINGS SELECT BEN MCLEMORE IN FIRST ROUND". NBA.com. June 27, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  11. ^ "Kings Sign 2013 First-Round Pick Ben McLemore". NBA.com. July 13, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  12. ^ "Kings Ben McLemore named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November". NBA.com. December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "Ben McLemore Selected to 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest". NBA.com. February 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Ben McLemore 2013-14 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "Kings Pick Up Option on Guard Ben McLemore". NBA.com. October 19, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Ben McLemore 2014-15 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "Kings Pick Up Option on Ben McLemore". NBA.com. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  18. ^ Ben McLemore 2015-16 Game Log
  19. ^ Kings Unable To Complete Comeback
  20. ^ Gay scores 32 to lead Kings over Bucks, 111-104
  21. ^ Cauley-Stein scores 21 points, Kings beat Mavs 133-111
  22. ^ "Kings rally from 22 down to beat Hawks 108-107". ESPN.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  23. ^ "Hayward helps Jazz knock off Kings 112-82". ESPN.com. March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  24. ^ "Grizzlies sign Ben McLemore to multi-year contract". NBA.com. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  25. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies' Ben McLemore out 12 weeks with fractured bone in foot". NBA.com. August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "Grizzlies assign Ben McLemore to Memphis Hustle". NBA.com. November 2, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  27. ^ "Grizzlies recall Ben McLemore and Ivan Rabb from Memphis Hustle". NBA.com. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  28. ^ "Harden lifts Rockets to 111-96 win over Grizzlies". ESPN.com. November 11, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  29. ^ "Westbrook's triple-double leads Thunder past Grizzlies in OT". ESPN.com. December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  30. ^ "Brooks, McLemore lead Grizzlies past Kings 106-88". ESPN.com. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  31. ^ "Kings Acquire Ben McLemore, Deyonta Davis, 2021 Second-Round Draft Selection, and Cash Considerations". NBA.com. July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  32. ^ "Kings Acquire Caleb Swanigan". NBA.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  33. ^ "Rockets Sign Free Agent Ben McLemore". NBA.com. July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  34. ^ "With Harden doubled, McLemore has career night in win at Toronto". Rockets Wire. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  35. ^ "Rockets vs. Raptors - Game Summary - December 5, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  36. ^ "Suns vs. Rockets - Box Score - December 7, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  37. ^ Feigen, Jonathan (December 8, 2019). "Russell Westbrook, Ben McLemore drive Rockets past Suns". www.houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  38. ^ "Rockets Sign Armoni Brooks to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  39. ^ "Lakers Sign Ben McLemore". NBA.com. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  40. ^ "Jimmy Butler, Heat too much for shorthanded Lakers". www.thechronicleherald.ca. The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  41. ^ "Trail Blazers sign Ben McLemore". NBA.com. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  42. ^ "MCCOLLUM HELPS BLAZERS ROUT SUNS FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON". NBA.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  43. ^ "Ben McLemore Signs With Shandong Heroes". twitter.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  44. ^ "Ben McLemore joins AEK for the next season". Eurohoops. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  45. ^ "Τέλος ο ΜάκΛεμορ από την ΑΕΚ Betsson BC!". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  46. ^ "Ben McLemore completes move to Breogan". Eurohoops. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  47. ^ @merkezefendigsk (August 22, 2024). "Ben McLemore, yeni sezonda bu şehrin takımı için ter dökecek!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "NBA Draft Breakdown and Projections for Kansas Star Ben McLemore". Bleacher Report. January 19, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  49. ^ "Could Kansas' Ben McLemore Go #1?". NBADraft.net. December 26, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  50. ^ "Ben McLemore". NBADraft.net. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  51. ^ Choat, Brad (July 4, 2015). "NBA Player Comes Home to Wellston". cbslocal.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  52. ^ Ham, James (March 22, 2017). "Ben McLemore returns after birth of his daughter: 'Dream come true'". nbcsports.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  53. ^ "And-Ones: Lamb, Thomas, McLemore, Biggest Buyers". hoopsrumors.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  54. ^ "Former Portland Trail Blazers guard Ben McLemore arrested, accused of first-degree rape". kgw.com. April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
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