Once seen as a promising young talent with NBA pedigree, Jontay Porter now finds himself at the center of one of the most shocking scandals in league history. The former Toronto Raptors forward is officially scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2025, in New York for felony wire fraud, a charge stemming from his involvement in a sports betting scheme that led to a lifetime ban from the NBA.
Porter’s downfall began with a series of suspicious performances during the 2023–24 season. In two separate games, January 26 and March 20, Porter played fewer than five minutes, citing injury or illness. These early exits aligned perfectly with prop bets placed on his underperformance, raising red flags across sportsbooks and league officials.
Federal investigators later uncovered text messages in which Porter allegedly outlined his plan to bench himself, writing:
“No blocks no steals. I’m going to play first 2-3 minute stint off the bench then when I get subbed out tell them my eye killing me again”.
Porter admitted in court that he joined the scheme to pay off mounting gambling debts, and that he knowingly manipulated his playing time to benefit co-conspirators who placed bets on his stat lines.
Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2024. Prosecutors estimate he could face 3.5 to 4 years in prison, though the maximum sentence could reach 20 years depending on the court’s ruling. Legal experts expect a combination of prison time and financial restitution, citing the premeditated nature of the scheme and Porter’s status as a public figure.
The case has expanded beyond Porter, with at least six individuals charged in connection to the betting ring. One alleged mastermind, Shane Hennen, was arrested while attempting to flee to Panama.
Porter’s basketball journey was already turbulent before the scandal. After withdrawing from the 2018 NBA Draft and suffering a torn ACL in 2019, he went undrafted but eventually signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. He played just 11 games in the 2020–21 season before bouncing between G League teams and earning a two-way contract with the Raptors in 2023.
In 25 games with Toronto, Porter averaged 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, showing flashes of potential before the investigation derailed his career.
In April 2024, the NBA issued a lifetime ban, citing violations of the league’s gambling rules. Porter became the first player banned for life since the legalization of sports betting in the U.S. expanded in recent years.
