In a significant legal decision, a federal judge has denied Jontay Porter’s request to play professional basketball in Greece. The former Toronto Raptors player, who was banned from the NBA due to his involvement in a betting scandal, had sought permission to join Promitheas BC in the Greek Basketball League.
Porter, who recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the betting scandal, hoped to continue his basketball career overseas. His legal team argued that playing in Greece would provide a rare opportunity for Porter to earn an income through his primary skillset during his prime earning years. They also highlighted that both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Pretrial Services Office had no objections to the request.
However, U.S. District Court Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall denied the motion, citing the seriousness of Porter’s offenses and the upcoming sentencing scheduled for December 18, where he faces 41 to 51 months in prison. The judge emphasized that allowing Porter to leave the country could complicate his legal obligations and undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
Porter’s involvement in the betting scandal, which included providing inside information and betting on his own games, led to a lifetime ban from the NBA. Despite his expressed remorse and ongoing gambling counseling, the court’s decision underscores the gravity of his actions and the consequences that follow.
As Porter prepares for his sentencing, his future in professional basketball remains uncertain. The denial of his request to play in Greece marks another chapter in the ongoing legal saga of a once-promising athlete whose career has been marred by scandal.
