Hearing the name Ben McLemore is enough to make a Sacramento Kings fan cringe. His time in Sacramento did not amount to the lofty expectations that were initially associated with the swingman when the Kings drafted him with the seventh pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
McLemore was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, playing his senior year ball at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, a school that produced the likes of Kevin Duranr, Carmelo Anthony and Rajon Rondo. McLemore was dismissed from the team midseason, and finished out his high school days at Christian Life Center in Texas. Ranked as a four star recruit, he moved from one prestigious pro factory to the next, committing to play for Kansas.
He was a redshirt for his first year on campus, only being permitted to practice with the team. But when he finally suited up for the 2012-13 season, he was undeniably impressive. McLemore earned first-team all Big 12 honors, as well as being recognized as a consensus second-team All American.
Never forget how much fun Ben McLemore was to watch at Kansas pic.twitter.com/zPtyAyDZ9A
— Jayhawk Video (@JayhawkVideo) June 30, 2019
His accolades complemented his stats nicely, as the Jayhawk put up 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2 assists in his lone season in the sunflower state. McLemore’s strong college campaign made him a highly sought after draft prospect, drawing enough interest to be selected by Sacramento in the lottery.
McLemore’s lackluster rookie year in Sactown was punctuated by an appearance in the 2014 dunk contest, where he notably leapt over Kings minority owner Shaquille O’Neal. Most fans remember his dunking theatrics more than his mild averages of 8.8 points and 2.9 rebounds a night.
The Kings’ young shooting guard never gained much traction in Sacramento, despite starting in all 82 games for the team in his sophomore season. After his rookie contract expired, the Kings decided against offering McLemore a second contract, prompting him to sign with the Memphis Grizzlies. He spent the 2017-18 season as a rotational piece for Memphis, playing just under 20 minutes a night.
After one year away from the west coast, McLemore was sent back to Sacramento via trade before the 2018 season. His new role was significantly abbreviated from his first stint, as he only appeared in 19 games across the entire year. After his brief return to the team that drafted him, McLemore signed with the Houston Rockets. He hasn’t suited up for the Kings since.
8/9/20
Ben McLemore vs Kings (27 min)20 points (7-16 FG) (6 3’s)
3 rebounds 1 assist pic.twitter.com/1FFMHQQxRH— Jayhawks In The NBA (@NBA_Jayhawks) August 13, 2020
While his play on the court left many fans disappointed, he will always be remembered fondly for his acting chops in a series of Pizza Guy commercials.
McLemore has shown tremendous resilience since his initial departure from Sacramento. He has proven to be a scrappy competitor, battling for a chance to prove himself on the floor. His efforts earned him praise in Houston, where he carved out a role for himself as a solid two way option off the bench. He has since played in Toronto, enjoyed a second term in H Town and has most recently signed with the defending champion LA Lakers.
The injury stricken champs have kept a watchful eye on the buyout market this season, eager to give their squad a much needed boost. McLemore was signed by the Lakers on April 6 after being waived by the Rockets. The veteran joined Andre Drummond as LA’s latest signings, offering more diverse options for the struggling team. McLemore’s contract will run till the end of the season, when he will likely be a part of the Lakeshow’s playoff rotation. If all things go according to plan, McLemore could find a long term fit with the Lakers. An extended stay would be a welcome sight for the wing, who hasn’t spent consecutive seasons with a single team since his rookie contract with the Kings.
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