Former NBA forward Jontay Porter has been denied a request to continue his career overseas following a guilty plea last week to federal charges related to a gambling scheme.
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall has denied a request from Porter’s legal team to allow the former Toronto Raptor to play overseas for Greek Basket League member Promitheas BC. Porter requested to live in team-approved housing in Greece with his pregnant wife while under the supervision of his mother, mother-in-law, and potential new team.
Porter’s effort to play overseas has allegedly garnered support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Pretrial Services Officers but has been denied by Hall to adjust the conditions of his pre-sentence release allowing him to regain possession of his passport.
In a letter to Hall, Porter’s lawyers stated that Promitheas BC would allow the 24-year-old to travel back to New York for legal obligations, continue his existing problem gambling treatment program, which is administered virtually, and receive in-person counseling.
Porter’s legal team cites “quickly diminishing” opportunities to earn a living through his primary skill set, basketball. His lawyers also noted Porter’s decision to leave college early to pursue an NBA career as a reason for limited alternative options outside of the sport.
Guilty plea for Porter
Last week, the Missouri native pled guilty in a New York federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud by providing insider information to a group of co-conspirators to pay back significant gambling debts.
According to a criminal docket, Porter notified the co-conspirators on two separate occasions of his intention to exit select games early due to injury and illness. As a result, the co-conspirators and a relative allegedly placed wagers on the “under” player prop markets for Porter.
Collectively, the co-conspirators allegedly netted a profit of more than $1.2 million from the illicit wagering that was eventually flagged for suspicious activity by an unnamed operator and reported to the NBA and the International Betting Integrity Association. The NBA would open an investigation of its own leading to the lifetime ban of Porter from the league.
The co-conspirators, Long Phi Pham, Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah and Ammar Awawdeh, have been charged in the case and released on bond.
Porter was released on a $250,000 bond and has sentencing scheduled for Dec. 18. He faces up to 20 years in prison with prosecutors recommending between 41 to 51 months.
