UPDATE: Toronto Raptors’ Jontay Porter Banned From NBA For Life After Gambling Scandal

Jontay Porter

UPDATE: Toronto Raptors’ Jontay Porter Banned From NBA For Life After Gambling Scandal

Update (April 17, 2024): Jontay Porter will never play in the NBA again after violating the league’s gambling rules.

The now-former Toronto Raptors’ forward was hit with a lifetime ban by the league today (April 17).

The NBA released a statement that read,

“A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing, confidential information to sports fetters, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.”

See the full statement below.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/h2TIkaE7xs

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 17, 2024

“Lifetime Ban” quickly began trending on Twitter as fans reacted to the news. See what a few had to say below:

Original Story (March 26, 2024): Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter is the subject of an intense gambling investigation.

According to multiple reports, the NBA is investigating the former Mizzou men’s basketball player after multiple bets were placed on his performance during several games this season. Specifically, the suspected betting activity reportedly occurred on January 26 and March 20. Jontay Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., played briefly before sitting out of both games, citing an eye injury or illness.

Moreover, the two-way player played four minutes and 24 seconds against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of those games and 2 minutes against the Sacramento Kings in the second game.

Furthermore, in both games, Jontay Porter did not come close to hitting the prop-wager lines for points, rebounds, and 3-pointers that bettors could play. Instead, multiple reports revealed the props surrounding the 24-year-old for the Clippers game were 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. However, he finished that game with no points, three rebounds, and one assist.

Meanwhile, the props surrounding the Kings’ game were 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Ultimately, Porter finished that game with no points but had two rebounds.

Addressing the issue, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said he learned of the investigation before Monday’s night game (March 25).

“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players. Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”

He added that he wasn’t aware of his team’s “reaction” to the situation because he didn’t share the news with them.

“I just know nobody wants those kind of situations to happen to anybody, to any team. We’ve just got to deal with it.”

This issue came to light when DraftKings Sportsbook tracked an increased betting interest in the 6’10” athlete.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated that typical bets would be around $1,000 to $2,000, but for the Clippers game, people reportedly bet on Porter for over $10,000 and $20,000.

More reporting, per ESPN’s @DavidPurdum: At least one other U.S. sportsbook detected unusual betting interest on Porter props in games in question. A sportsbook industry source told ESPN that multiple betting accounts attempted to bet large amounts, upwards of $10K and $20K, on…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 26, 2024

According to the team, Porter did not play in the Raptors’ home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday (25). He was also out for the team’s loss at Washington on Saturday (March 23). He was reportedly out of both games for personal reasons.

The NBA laid a restriction on the players and all league employees from engaging in betting for any league events. Therefore, if they find out the franchise player violated the policy, Porter could face a fine, suspension, or even termination.

What are your thoughts about this entire situation? Let us know in the comments below.

[VIA]