Who is Jontay Porter? Ex-Toronto Raptors star with lifetime NBA ban makes new career move

At 26, Jontay Porter is preparing for his first professional game in nearly two years. The former Toronto Raptors big man, who received a lifetime NBA ban in 2024 for violating league gambling rules, has signed with the Seattle SuperHawks of the relaunched United States Basketball League.

The team confirmed the move on February 25, with the season set to begin in early March.If Porter takes the floor on March 7, it will mark a significant step in a career that once showed promise before being derailed by a federal investigation. “I am just trying to do what I can to provide for my family,” Porter told The Athletic. His return comes while he awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Who is Jontay Porter?

Born on November 15, 1999, in Columbia, Missouri, Jontay Porter played college basketball at Missouri before entering the professional ranks. He appeared in 37 NBA games across two seasons, including 26 with Toronto during the 2023-24 campaign. That year, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in a reserve role.Porter is also the brother of Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. Standing 6-foot-10, he built his game around versatility and floor spacing.

The USBL, where Porter is now headed, previously operated from 1985 to 2008 and sent more than 150 players to the NBA. The league relaunched with eight West Coast teams, offering a structured platform for players seeking competitive opportunities.

What happened to Jontay Porter?

The NBA banned Porter for life after determining he violated league gambling policies. According to league findings, he 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 the Raptors.Federal prosecutors later charged Porter with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He pleaded guilty in 2024 and is awaiting sentencing. His attorney previously said he had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction.”

Jontay Porter makes a new career move outside the NBA

Porter attempted to resume his career overseas, though a federal judge denied his request to play in Greece. His signing with the Seattle SuperHawks now gives him a domestic opportunity in the USBL’s reopening season.Seattle opens its schedule on March 7 against the Lilac City Legends.