Jontay Porter’s Request to Play Pro Basketball in Greece Denied

Jontay Porter, who just pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a New York federal court last week, has had his request to play professional basketball in Greece denied by a federal judge on Tuesday.

Porter was previously been banned from the NBA in April following an investigation that uncovered his illegal betting activity. Porter’s actions included betting on his team, the Toronto Raptors, and manipulating his performance by exiting early from at least two Raptors Games to aid four other men who won bets placed on his prop total Unders.

The request, filed by Porter’s lawyer, Jeff Jensen, sought approval from Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall via letter to permit him to play in Greece’s top professional league for Promitheas B.C. during its upcoming season. This motion included modifying conditions of his pre-sentence release to return Porter’s U.S. passport that would allow him to travel to Europe and reside in Greece while playing for Promitheas B.C. 

Upcoming sentencing details

After Porter was released by paying a $250,000 bond following his guilty plea, his U.S. passport was forfeited. Now, the former NBA player awaits sentencing scheduled for December 18, 2024, facing 41-51 months in prison.

Porter’s request includes being able to play basketball in Greece, requiring approval from a federal judge to Travel to Petras, Greece. He’d live in housing approved by Promitheas B.C. with his pregnant wife, while under supervision from his mother and mother-in-law. His new team would also strictly supervise Porter’s whereabouts and give him the flexibility to Travel to New York to comply with his ongoing legal battle. 

“The proposed modification would allow Mr. Porter to pursue a very fortunate - and quickly diminishing - opportunity to earn income through his primary skillset,” Jensen wrote in the letter to the federal judge. “Mr. Porter, and more importantly his agent, believe such an opportunity is unlikely to arise again. As you may know, Mr. Porter was recently banned from the National Basketball Association."

After four men were charged with conspiracy to defraud a Sports betting company, Porter was listed as Player 1 in the complaint, which led to his sentencing. Winnings of Porter’s actions included an $80,000 parlay to win $1.1 million. Now, Porter’s future of earning an income playing professional basketball is in jeopardy. 

“Mr. Porter’s primary skillset and means of earning a living involve playing professional basketball,” wrote Jensen. “He left college early in 2020 to enter the NBA Draft and has not yet finished earning credits towards his college degree. Since being banned from the NBA, there have been no other opportunities available to continue his basketball career. Mr. Porter has a limited window to earn an income through professional basketball during his prime earning years as a professional athlete.”

Neither Jensen nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York responded for comment regarding Porter’s denied request.