Former Sacramento Kings NBA 1st-Round Pick Signs With New Team In Turkey

Former NBA player Ben McLemore has signed with a team in Turkey.

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ben McLemore (Kansas) shakes hands with NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Sacramento Kings during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Ben McLemore most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers.

That year, he averaged 10.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 40.1% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point range in 64 games (six starts).

On Thursday, it was announced that the 31-year-old will now sign with a team in Turkey (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype).

Via Yukatel Merkezefendi (translated to English): "🔥🏀 Ben McLemore will be working hard for #buşehrintakımı in the new season!

Ben McLemore, who spent his career in the NBA and last played in Spain, is setting sail for a new adventure with the Yukatel Merkezefendi Municipality jersey! 💫"

🔥🏀Ben McLemore, yeni sezonda #buşehrintakımı için ter dökecek!

Kariyeri NBA'de geçen ve son olarak İspanya'da boy gösteren Ben McLemore, Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi formasıyla yeni bir maceraya yelken açıyor! 💫

Kansas Üniversitesi mezunu olan ve 2013 NBA Draftı'nda… pic.twitter.com/Qww96JxCG4

— Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi (@merkezefendigsk) August 22, 2024

McLemore was the seventh pick in the 2013 NBA Draft (by the Sacramento Kings) after one season of college basketball at Kansas.

He helped the Jayhawks finish with a 31-6 record and reach the Sweet 16.

Coming out of college, McLemore had a lot of fans.

Via LeBron James on July 27, 2013: "They sleeping on Ben McLemore. Just watch"

They sleeping on Ben McLemore. Just watch

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 28, 2013

While McLemore never became an All-Star, he had a solid NBA career that lasted nine seasons.

He spent time with the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers.

His career averages are 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 41.4% from the field and 36.3% from the three-point range in 556 regular season games.

Feb 22, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ben McLemore (16) celebrates after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Rockets won 120-110. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports / Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Considering he is still in the prime of his career, McLemore could end up playing in the NBA again at some point.

He will be a name to keep an eye on next season.