Jontay Porter Returns After NBA Ban
Jontay Porter, who received a lifetime NBA ban for violating league policies, has signed with the USBL's SuperHawks less than a year after his punishment. The SuperHawks are expected to feature Porter as a marquee player in the United States Basketball League, marking a high-profile second chance for the former NBA player.
The lifetime ban was issued in April 2024 after an NBA investigation found Jontay Porter disclosed confidential health information to sports bettors. He also limited his own participation in at least one game to influence the outcome of proposition bets and placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate's account. Porter's violations included a wager that stood to win $1.1 million for a bettor, based on him underperforming in a March 20, 2024 game. He removed himself from that game after just three minutes, claiming illness, which triggered a league investigation after licensed sports betting operators flagged the unusual activity. In July 2024, Porter pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting he was driven by significant gambling debts. While the charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, prosecutors have estimated a likely term of 41 to 51 months; he is currently awaiting sentencing. The United States Basketball League (USBL) he joins is a relaunched version of a league that originally operated from 1985 to 2008. Known as the "League of Opportunity," the original USBL sent over 150 players to the NBA, including standouts like Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues. The new iteration features eight teams located on the West Coast.
