By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Jontay Porter, a former Toronto Raptors center banned by the NBA for betting on his team’s games, sought permission to join Promitheas B.C. in Greece and play in the FIBA Basketball Champions League for the upcoming season.
Despite support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the United States Pretrial Services Officer, the judge denied his motion to modify the conditions of his pre-sentence release, according to The Athletic.
Porter, who pleaded guilty to a federal charge and forfeited his passport, is scheduled for sentencing on December 18 and faces 41-51 months in prison.
His lawyer argued that Porter would be supervised by family and the team while in Greece and could return to New York for court obligations.
The NBA’s investigation revealed that Porter’s bet on Raptors games influenced his performance to benefit others. He was called Player 1 in a scheme involving four men charged with conspiracy to defraud a sports betting company, with one individual reportedly winning $1.1 million from bets on Porter.
In his career, the 24-year-old forward/center has played 37 NBA games with the Grizzlies in 2021 and the Raptors (2023-24), averaging 3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He has never played outside the USA as a professional, competing only in the NBA and several G-League teams.
He is the brother of Denver Nuggets star and 2023 NBA champion Michael Porter Jr.