Jontay Porter, banned for life by NBA for betting, returns to professional basketball in USBL

Jontay Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA for betting on 2024, returns to the court.

Porter, 26, will go to the Seattle SuperHawks, a member of the rebooted United States Basketball League.

The SuperHawks announced the signing of Porter on Wednesday and the team begins its season on March 7.

Porter is awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a related federal charge. In July 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, a penalty that carries up to 20 years in prison.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON News

Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on March 9, 2024. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

However, Porter is expected to receive a sentence of between three and four years. The former Toronto Raptors player was accused of manipulating his performance in coordination with players to win bets during two games of the 2023-24 season.

Porter also made $22,000 by betting on 13 NBA games in which he did not play, a violation of league rules, according to an NBA investigation.

Jontay Porter (34) of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 13, 2024. (Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged dozens more people based on the investigation that began with Porter. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones were charged as part of the expanded investigation into Porter.

Porter spent two seasons in the NBA. He signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri and played 11 games for them in the 2020-21 season. After spending two years outside the NBA, he played 26 games with the Raptors in the 2023-24 season.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE News APP

Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors fights for a rebound with Lindy Waters III of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game on March 22, 2024. (Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

In 37 career NBA games, Porter averaged 3.7 points per game.

Follow News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Related article