Last Updated on May 27, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Ben McLemore came into the league with a reputation as a gifted scorer and smooth perimeter shooter capable of catching fire quickly. Although consistency was often the missing piece, his athleticism and natural scoring ability kept teams interested in the upside he showed throughout his career.

Here’s detailed information about Ben McLemore:

  • Full Name: Ben McLemore
  • Nickname: B-Mac
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: February 11, 1993
  • Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
  • Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Shoe Size: 13 (US)
  • Jersey Number:
    • #23 — Kansas Jayhawks
    • #16 — Sacramento Kings
    • #23 — Memphis Grizzlies
    • #23 — Houston Rockets
    • #7 — Los Angeles Lakers
    • #23 — Portland Trail Blazers
  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • High School: Wellston High School (Missouri); Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
  • College: Kansas Jayhawks (2012–2013)
  • NBA Draft: 2013 — Round 1, Pick 7 — Sacramento Kings
  • Player Archetype: Athletic floor-spacing shooting guard
  • Primary Offensive Role: Catch-and-shoot perimeter scorer, transition finisher
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter wing defender (limited consistency)
  • Play Style: Off-ball scorer who thrives on spot-ups, cuts, and open-floor athleticism
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Explosive leaper, strong straight-line speed, above-average vertical athlete
  • Recruiting Status: 5-star recruit (top-tier junior college transfer)
  • Draft Status Detail: One-and-done prospect; widely projected lottery pick due to elite shooting and athletic upside
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — minor recurring injuries and inconsistency impacting availability but no major long-term damage
  • Career Stage: Journeyman veteran (post-prime rotational scorer)
  • Comparison Style: Athletic shooting guard reliant on perimeter scoring and vertical explosiveness
  • Comparable Players:
    • Ray Allen — elite shooting archetype baseline comparison
    • Gerald Green — athletic scorer with streaky shooting
    • Terrence Ross — modern 3-and-D scorer with volatility
  • Teams Played For:
    • Sacramento Kings (2013–2017)
    • Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2018)
    • Houston Rockets (2019–2021)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2022)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: Sonya Reid (mother)
  • Children: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Multiple siblings (including brother Ben McLemore Jr. references vary)

Ben McLemore’s player archetype is that of an athletic floor-spacing shooting guard, built around perimeter scoring and vertical explosiveness rather than shot creation. Defensively, he typically fills a basic wing containment role but has struggled with consistency and awareness on that end. Offensively, he operates primarily as a catch-and-shoot threat and transition finisher, leveraging his quick release and leaping ability. Physically, McLemore combines a strong frame with above-the-rim athleticism and long arms, which supports his finishing and shooting mechanics. His overall play style centers on off-ball movement, spot-up shooting, and opportunistic scoring bursts, making him a streak-dependent contributor who can swing games when his jumper is falling.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Ben McLemore Stats
NBA.com — Ben McLemore Player Profile
ESPN — Ben McLemore Bio