Ben McLemore, 32, issued a lengthy statement after the hearing, blaming heavy alcohol consumption for impairing his judgment. He played at Wellston High and the University of Kansas.

A jury found McLemore guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and second-degree sexual abuse one week prior.

Former NBA player Ben McLemore was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on Wednesday following last week’s rape conviction.