SEATTLE — Jontay Porter, the previous Toronto Raptors centre banned for life from the NBA in 2024 for playing, had a triple-double Saturday night time in his return to skilled basketball.
Porter began at energy ahead and had 21 factors, 14 rebounds, 14 assists, three blocked pictures and two steals for the Seattle SuperHawks of the impartial United States Basketball League in their season-opening 111-88 victory over the Lilac Metropolis Legends at Seattle Pacific College’s Royal Brougham Pavilion.
“I’m clearly super-excited to play basketball once more. I would like to thank the Seattle SuperHawks and the USBL as a complete,” stated Porter, the brother of present NBA participant Michael Porter Jr. “The group is top-notch. I perceive they’re sticking their neck out for me and taking a danger with it, and I simply need to be a very good consultant on and off the court docket.”
Porter was banned by the NBA after a league investigation concluded he shared confidential info with sports activities bettors and positioned wagers on NBA video games, together with bets towards the Raptors.
Porter was denied a request to be allowed to resume his basketball profession in Greece in 2024 whereas awaiting sentencing for his position in the betting scandal that acquired him banned from the NBA.
“He made a mistake in his life, and now we’re previous that,” stated SuperHawks affiliate coach Gary Payton, a Basketball Corridor of Famer “We’re not going to take into consideration that anymore. This can be a nice expertise right here. A fantastic basketball participant, and we’re going to change him. I’ll mentor him so much.”
In an announcement offered to The Related Press prior to the sport, the USBL, which was established in 1985, suspended operations in 2008 and introduced its comeback in November, stated it helps second probabilities and that the SuperHawks belief Porter’s sincerity.
“Whereas Jontay absolutely acknowledges the implications of his actions, he has demonstrated real regret and a robust dedication to private progress,” the league stated. “The USBL and the SuperHawks are united in providing him the possibility to proceed his basketball journey, each as an athlete and for instance of how redemption can take form via accountability and onerous work.”
Porter pleaded responsible in July 2024 in federal court docket in Brooklyn to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a felony that carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years. He admitted agreeing to exit video games early so co-conspirators may revenue from bets tied to his particular person efficiency. Prosecutors projected a sentencing vary of just below three and a half years to somewhat over 4 years in jail.
On the time of his violations, Porter was on a two-way contract, transferring between the Raptors and their G League affiliate. He earned $410,000 beneath that deal, whereas a typical NBA contract would have exceeded $2 million. In pleading responsible, he stated he acted to get out from beneath massive playing money owed and acknowledged, “I do know what I did was fallacious, illegal, and I’m deeply sorry.”
Porter averaged 4.4 factors, 3.2 rebounds, and a pair of.3 assists in 26 video games for Toronto through the 2023–24 season. He additionally appeared in 11 video games for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020–21.
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