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Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for life in April after he was found to have bet on NBA games, including those in which he plays.
Why would Porter, the younger brother of Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., risk his career in such a bold way?
Well, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports that Porter racked us a significant gambling debt and opted to throw games in order to pay it off.
“Federal prosecutors allege that Porter had racked up large gambling debts in the beginning of the year to co-conspirators, and was encouraged to clear those debts by throwing games in order for certain bets to hit,” Bondy writes.
Porter allegedly had a co-conspirator by the name of Long Phi Pham (AKA Bruce) who was arrested while trying to flee the country on Monday.
Pham reportedly tried to board a one-way flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Australia.
Jontay Porter Paid Off Gambling Debt By Fixing Prop Bets On Himself
Prosecutors allege Porter told Pham that he was going to take himself out early from the Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, claiming he was injured.
On March 20 against the Sacramento Kings, Porter allegedly told co-conspirators that he would say he was sick to leave a game early.
Porter then checked himself out of the game after three minutes. He scored zero points, grabbed three rebounds and notched zero assists. The under on each of those prop bets won Pham and his alleged co-conspirators over $1 million.
Have some questions? You’re not alone!
“Why would you not ask your very rich older brother for money, Jontay?”
“Why would you communicate your intentions to do all of this in text, Jontay?”
“Couldn’t you be a little bit more discreet?”
These are all good questions! None of them appear to have crossed Porter’s mind at any time.
Now he’s out of the NBA for life. And there’s a solid chance he’s headed for jail!
But hey, at least he’s a better gambler than this guy.