Jontay Porter Returns to Pro Basketball After NBA Ban

A basketball player banned from the NBA for life is getting another shot at playing professionally, proving that even serious mistakes don't always mean the end of the road.

Jontay Porter, 26, signed with the Seattle SuperHawks this week, a team in the newly rebooted United States Basketball League. The former Toronto Raptors player will take the court March 7, less than a year after the NBA banned him for gambling violations.

Porter's fall from the NBA was dramatic. He pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit fraud after manipulating his performance during two games in the 2023-24 season to help gamblers win prop bets. He also illegally bet $22,000 on 13 NBA games he didn't play in, breaking league rules.

The consequences were severe. Porter faces sentencing for a charge that carries up to 20 years in prison, though prosecutors expect he'll serve between three and four years. The investigation into his actions led to indictments of dozens of others, including current and former NBA players and coaches.

The Bright Side

While Porter's choices cost him his NBA career, the USBL is offering him a path forward. Second chances in professional sports are rare, especially after legal troubles, but they represent something important: the belief that people can learn from mistakes.

Porter's NBA career was brief but showed promise. After signing as an undrafted free agent from Missouri, he played 11 games with Memphis in 2020-21 and 26 games with Toronto in 2023-24. His 37-game NBA career averaged 3.7 points per game, modest numbers that suggested potential for growth.

The SuperHawks' willingness to sign Porter sends a message about redemption in sports. While he awaits sentencing and will never play in the NBA again, he gets to continue doing what he trained his whole life to do. The USBL provides a platform for players seeking fresh starts, whether they're coming back from injuries, overseas stints, or personal setbacks.

Porter's story serves as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of gambling and a reminder that one chapter closing doesn't mean the whole book ends.