Oklahoma County prosecutors have announced that NBA player Terrance Ferguson will not be charged amid allegations of rape. An investigation into the alleged 2018 incident took place following a February 2020 report. The police have completed their investigation and did not find any evidence to suggest that the sexual conduct was not consensual.

According to The Oklahoman, the woman alleged that Ferguson had raped her during a house party in 2018 and filed a report with the police in February 2020. The pair had reportedly communicated with each other prior to the night of the house party. The Oklahoma City police obtained a copy of a video as part of the investigation. They also searched the house where the incident allegedly occurred.

“Evidence to support the reporting person’s allegations that the sexual conduct was not consensual was absent,” said District Attorney David Prater on April 18. His top sex crimes assistant declined to file charges this month in light of the investigation’s findings. The Oklahoman also reports that an incident report was not provided by the police due to Ferguson never being arrested or charged.

“Terrance Ferguson is a very respectful young man who has recently had to defend himself regarding some false allegations,” his attorney, Billy Bock, said on April 19, per The Oklahoman. “He cooperated fully with the investigation and appreciates the professionalism of the investigators with the Oklahoma City Police Department and Mr. Prater’s office, which has declined to file charges. He continues to deny any wrongdoing and is looking forward to having this experience behind him.”

A spokesman for the Oklahoma City Thunder released a statement about Ferguson and said that the team had been made aware of the situation. The NBA team “followed the protocols that are put in place, and allowed the legal process to take its course.” It’s unlikely that Ferguson will face discipline from the league or the team following the announcement by the Oklahoma County prosecutors.

The 21-year-old Ferguson has been a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2017. He was selected 21st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft and has since started 123 games for the team. He is in the midst of a four-year rookie contract worth $10,323,693 and is currently scheduled to be a free agent following the 2020-21 season. The 2019-20 NBA season is currently suspended after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11.

Kyle Lowry is endearingly competitive and stubborn and difficult.

Especially during a Raptors practice at UCLA during the 2017-18 season.

Lowry’s teammates that year, DeMar DeRozan and Fred VanVleet, told the story on Instagram (warning: profanity in video).

VanVleet:

I tell people that story all the time. People who don’t know the NBA, I be like, “This is the NBA right here.” I tell people that story all the time.

I don’t think he wanted to practice, first. Let’s just say that.

So, we played L.A. We stayed. We go out – most of us. I don’t know who all went. Some of us went out. Most of the young guys.

But the next day – that was our bench mob year – the next day, we started playing five-on-five. Casey put the time up. We’re busting y’all ass like crazy, by like 20 in five minutes. Coach is tripping.

He ain’t really engaged, so Casey tried to take him out. He’s like, “Nah, I ain’t coming out.” So the man is sitting down Indian style. The man is sitting down criss-cross applesauce on the court like, “If I’m out, practice is over.”

DeRozan:

He tell us to go to the next court. Remember, he said, “Go to the next court. We’re going to keep playing.” The motherf—er took the ball and said, “If I ain’t practicing, nobody practicing.”

I swear to god, that’s one of my favorite Low stories.

VanVleet:

That’s all-time. That’s definitely all-time.

DeRozan:

He took the ball and, “If I ain’t practicing, ain’t nobody practicing.”

VanVleet:

At no level ever in life have I ever seen anything like that. I was like, “Yo, this is the NBA dog?” But people don’t understand, you’ve got to manage them people. Y’all are some crazy dudes, man.

Michael Grange of Sportsnet filled in some of the details:

The other was Fred & DeMar on an infamous practice at UCLA (17/18?) where Kyle went on ‘strike’, mad about calls in scrimmage (?). Sat on the floor, wouldn’t move. Casey moves team to the other court and Lowry sits in the middle of that one too! Practice over! Miss the NBA.2/2.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) March 31, 2020

I actually asked around about this one for a feature I did on Kyle in playoffs last year but no one confirm it on the record so I worked around it. Should have just went with it I guess ?: https://t.co/hIvEmPrfth

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) March 31, 2020

This reminds me of the time Andrew Bynum infamously shot every time he touched the ball – even from halfcourt – during a Cavaliers practice.

The big difference: Lowry is a winner, and Bynum was a malcontent. Though it’d be easy to spin this story as a negative for Lowry, he gets and deserves the benefit of the doubt.

I bet even then-Raptors coach Dwane Casey – who butted heads with Lowry before developing a stronger bond – was at least somewhat charmed by Lowry’s rebelliousness. Though maybe not at the time.

Thunder player Terrance Ferguson avoids charges after being accused of raping a woman at a party in 2018, as prosecutors explain ‘evidence to support the allegation was absent’

• Prosecutors in Oklahoma have declined to charge Oklahoma City Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson with a crime after he was accused of raping a woman
• In February, a woman told police that he raped her at a house party in 2018
• District Attorney David Prater explained that ‘evidence to support the reporting person’s allegations that the sexual conduct was not consensual was absent’
• Now 21, Ferguson has been with the Thunder since being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. He previously played professionally in Australia 

By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:01 EDT, 20 April 2020 | Updated: 13:02 EDT, 20 April 2020

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