Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is scheduled to plead guilty Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court to a felony charge related to an illegal betting scheme.
The NBA said Porter placed more than a dozen bets on basketball games, including in which he bet the Raptors would lose. He received a lifetime ban from the league in April.
His lawyer has said Porter became addicted to gambling and had amassed large gambling debts.
Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter in the first half of an NBA basketball game on March 11, 2024, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/AP, FILE
Porter was encouraged by his accomplices to clear those debts by withdrawing from certain games prematurely to make sure bets on his performance were successful, prosecutors say.
A league investigation found he tipped off other gamblers about his health and then falsely claimed he was sick so he could stop playing in at least one game, creating a windfall for those gamblers who placed parlor bets that he would underperform.
Four others have been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is set to plead guilty to charges of illegal betting, according to reports from multiple sources. The 23-year-old forward, who was waived by the Raptors earlier this year, is facing allegations of placing bets on NBA games during his time with the team.
Porter, who is the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., was a promising young player with a bright future in the NBA. However, his career took a turn for the worse when he became embroiled in a scandal involving illegal gambling.
The NBA has strict rules against players betting on games, as it can compromise the integrity of the sport. Porter’s actions not only violated league rules but also tarnished his reputation as a professional athlete.
It is unclear how long Porter has been involved in illegal betting or how much money he has wagered on games. However, the consequences of his actions are likely to be severe, with potential fines, suspensions, and even a ban from the league being possible outcomes.
Porter’s case serves as a cautionary tale for young athletes about the dangers of getting involved in illegal activities. It is important for players to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by their respective leagues in order to maintain their integrity and reputation.
As Porter prepares to plead guilty to the charges against him, it remains to be seen what the future holds for his basketball career. Whether he will be able to make amends for his actions and earn back the trust of fans and teams remains uncertain. One thing is for certain, though – illegal betting has no place in professional sports, and those who engage in such activities will face serious consequences.
