The Rise and Fall of Jontay Porter: How a Promising NBA Player’s Gambling Scandal Ended His Career

At first glance, the NBA game on a March night in 2024 between the Toronto Raptors and the Sacramento Kings seemed like any typical late-season contest. The Raptors were winding down the end of a disappointing campaign, and the Kings secured an easy blowout win. However, behind the scenes, a massive betting scandal was brewing, involving a once-promising NBA player whose actions would result in a lifetime ban from the league and potentially up to 20 years in federal prison. This is the story of Jontay Porter, a young athlete who had it all but lost everything due to a dangerous gambling habit and a scheme to fix his own games.

A Promising Start

Jontay Porter was no ordinary basketball player. Coming out of high school, he was ranked among the top 25 recruits in the class of 2017. He and his older brother, Michael Porter Jr., were seen as future NBA stars, both committing to play college basketball at the University of Missouri. While Michael declared for the 2018 NBA Draft and has since established himself as a key player for the Denver Nuggets, Jontay decided to stay in college for an additional year to further develop his skills.

As a skilled big man with excellent size and agility, Jontay Porter was widely considered a lottery pick for the 2019 NBA Draft. However, a series of unfortunate knee injuries derailed his sophomore season, casting doubt on his future prospects. Despite the setbacks, Porter declared for the draft but went undrafted, with many teams wary of his injury history. Yet, his NBA dream wasn’t over just yet. He signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and played 11 games in his rookie season before bouncing around the G-League in subsequent years. By 2024, he had found his way to the Toronto Raptors on a two-way contract, and it seemed like Porter was finally starting to carve out a role for himself in the NBA.

The Descent into Gambling

Behind the scenes, however, Porter’s life was unraveling. Throughout his NBA journey, Porter had taken a keen interest in the world of gambling and cryptocurrency trading. On social media, he often boasted about his financial acumen, claiming to turn $50,000 into $178,000 in just 30 minutes through speculative trading. Whether those claims were genuine or mere exaggeration is unknown, but one thing became clear—Porter was rapidly accumulating debt due to his gambling habits.

Porter’s betting records show that he was a VIP bettor on FanDuel, a popular sports betting platform, and that he wagered millions of dollars between 2021 and 2023. Although none of his bets during that time were on NBA games, the size of his wagers raised eyebrows. Unlike NBA superstars who earn tens of millions over the course of their careers, Porter had made just over $2 million in his brief NBA career. Even after taxes, it was clear that his gambling debts far exceeded his earnings, putting him in a precarious financial position.

Desperate to repay his debts, Porter found himself in an untenable situation. In 2024, he was approached by a group of associates who devised a plan to help him get out of debt—by betting on his own games and manipulating his performance.

The Scheme Unfolds

Porter’s associates proposed a straightforward plan. Since he owed a large amount of money, they agreed to forgive some of his debt if he helped them win wagers on his performance. Rather than betting on Porter to excel, the group bet on his unders—that is, they wagered that Porter would perform below certain statistical thresholds. Player props, a common form of sports betting, allow gamblers to bet on specific player statistics, such as points scored or rebounds. The plan was simple: Porter would underperform in games or leave early with a fake injury, ensuring that his unders would hit and his associates would profit.

On paper, this seemed like a foolproof way to make quick cash. Porter had control over his performance and could ensure he didn’t accidentally make too many shots or contribute in ways that would cause him to exceed the statistical limits set by sportsbooks.

The NBA strictly prohibits players from betting on their own games or any NBA games, recognizing the significant risk to the integrity of the league. However, Porter seemed undeterred by the potential consequences. His associates placed large bets on his unders, and Porter, in turn, manipulated his performance to match the bets.

Red Flags and Suspicion

The first game that drew suspicion occurred on March 20, 2024, when the Raptors faced the Kings. Porter’s performance—or lack thereof—was noticeable. He played just three minutes, missed several ill-advised shots, grabbed two rebounds, and then left the game with an “illness.” All of his unders hit, and sportsbooks took a massive loss on the game.

For a player with such a limited role in the NBA, it was unusual for sportsbooks to even offer player props on Porter. In most cases, sportsbooks avoid listing props for lesser-known players or those who don’t play significant minutes, as it can be too easy for gamblers to exploit those bets. When someone bet a large sum on Porter’s unders, it immediately raised red flags.

In total, there were two games that the NBA and its betting partners flagged as suspicious. Porter’s March 20 performance and another game in January were the primary instances where the league suspected foul play. Sportsbooks and the NBA have sophisticated systems in place to detect unusual betting activity, and Porter’s case was eventually brought to the attention of league officials.

The Consequences

As the investigation unfolded, the NBA found clear evidence that Jontay Porter was involved in a scheme to fix his own games for financial gain. The league acted swiftly, banning Porter for life and sending a strong message that such behavior would not be tolerated. While Porter’s basketball career was effectively over, his legal troubles were just beginning. Facing charges related to sports betting and fraud, Porter pled guilty and now faces the possibility of up to 20 years in federal prison.

The Larger Context of Gambling in Sports

Porter’s case is not an isolated incident. Across major professional sports leagues in the U.S., athletes have faced suspensions for gambling-related activities. However, Porter’s case stands out because he was directly involved in fixing his own games—something that cuts to the heart of sports integrity.

In recent years, professional leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB have embraced sports betting as a legitimate part of their business models. Partnerships with sportsbooks are now common, and broadcasts often encourage fans to bet on games. While this has created new revenue streams and engagement opportunities, it also raises questions about how far athletes might go to profit from betting and what the leagues are doing to prevent scandals like Porter’s from happening again.

Conclusion

Jontay Porter’s story is one of a promising young athlete who fell victim to his own vices. Gambling, a habit that started as a way to make quick money, spiraled out of control, ultimately leading Porter to betray the sport that had given him everything. As the NBA and other leagues continue to integrate sports betting into their ecosystems, they must remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of the games. Porter’s actions serve as a cautionary tale, one that will hopefully prevent similar scandals from occurring in the future.