Jontay Porter Returns to Basketball with Seattle SuperHawks After NBA Lifetime Ban
At 26 years old, Jontay Porter is gearing up for his first professional basketball game in nearly two years. The former Toronto Raptors big man, who received a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024 for violating the league's gambling policies, has officially signed with the Seattle SuperHawks of the recently relaunched United States Basketball League (USBL).
Team Confirms Signing Ahead of Season Opener
The Seattle SuperHawks confirmed the move on February 25, with their season scheduled to begin in early March. If Porter takes the court on March 7 for the team's opening game against the Lilac City Legends, it will mark a significant milestone in a career that once held considerable promise before being derailed by a federal investigation and league sanctions.
"I am just trying to do what I can to provide for my family," Porter told The Athletic in a recent interview. His return to professional basketball comes as he awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the gambling scandal.
Who Is Jontay Porter?
Born on November 15, 1999, in Columbia, Missouri, Jontay Porter played college basketball at the University of Missouri before entering the professional ranks. He appeared in 37 NBA games across two seasons, including 26 games with the Toronto Raptors during the 2023-24 campaign. During that season, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in a reserve role.
Porter is the younger brother of Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. Standing at 6-foot-10, he built his game around versatility and floor spacing, showing flashes of potential before his career was interrupted.
The USBL Provides New Opportunity
The United States Basketball League, where Porter is now headed, previously operated from 1985 to 2008 and sent more than 150 players to the NBA during its original run. The league has relaunched with eight West Coast teams, offering a structured platform for players seeking competitive opportunities outside the NBA.
This move represents a domestic opportunity for Porter after his attempt to resume his career overseas was denied by a federal judge, who rejected his request to play in Greece.
What Led to Porter's NBA Ban?
The NBA banned Porter for life after determining he had violated league gambling policies in multiple ways. According to league findings, Porter intentionally limited his participation in two games to influence prop bets tied to his performance. Investigators also found that he disclosed confidential health information to someone connected to a bettor before a game.
The league stated that Porter placed 13 bets on NBA games using another person's account, with wagers ranging from $15 to $22,000. While none of those bets involved games he played in, he did place bets involving his own team, the Toronto Raptors.
Legal Consequences and Gambling Addiction
Federal prosecutors later charged Porter with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He pleaded guilty in 2024 and is currently awaiting sentencing. His attorney has previously stated that Porter had been "in over his head due to a gambling addiction," highlighting the personal struggles that contributed to his professional downfall.
Porter's signing with the Seattle SuperHawks now provides him with a chance to rebuild his career in the USBL's reopening season, offering basketball fans and observers a compelling story of redemption and second chances in professional sports.
