From NBA Player to Betting Scandal: Jontay Porter Now Faces Criminal Charges for Fraudulent Gameplay

Jontay Porter, the former NBA player who was banned from the league for life due to a gambling scandal, is now facing criminal charges connected to a federal case involving bettors who profited from his scheme. Porter appeared on a Brooklyn Federal Court docket for the first time, linking him to an alleged betting ring that was facilitated by his manipulated gameplay.

Federal prosecutors are seeking to charge Porter with felonies in connection with four defendants involved in the betting scheme. These gamblers were tipped off by Porter that he planned to underperform in two NBA games, resulting in significant financial gains for the defendants. The games in question were against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings.

The bettors involved in the scheme placed “prop bets” on various statistical elements of the games, such as points or rebounds. One of the defendants allegedly made over $1 million off of Porter’s performances. Porter was found to have disclosed confidential information and manipulated gameplay to benefit bettors, leading to his lifetime ban from the NBA.

Porter’s attorney, Jeff Jensen, has not yet commented on the new charges. Porter, who stands at 6-foot-10, played college basketball at the University of Missouri and briefly signed with the Memphis Grizzlies before joining the Toronto Raptors for a stint in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.