Former Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors star Jonte Porter is attempting to return to professional basketball in 2024 after being handed a lifetime ban by the NBA. Porter is accused of "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting their participation in one or more sports for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games." Porter last played for the Raptors 905 in the NBA G League.
Jonte Porter is signing with the Seattle Superhawks of the United States Basketball League and will play for them next month.
He was given a lifetime ban by the NBA for gambling in 2024, where he pleaded guilty to related federal charges. He is currently awaiting sentencing. pic.twitter.com/sAfNKUrXtd
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026
However, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints, Porter is currently signing for the Seattle Super Hawks of the newly rebooted United States Basketball League while awaiting sentencing. The 26-year-old player, whose request to play professionally in Greece was previously denied by a federal judge, is expected to make the team's debut in the March 7 season opener against the Lilac City Legends at Seattle Pacific University.
The revived USBL, an eight-team West Coast league that pays homage to the original 1984-2008 circuit that launched the careers of players like Muggsy Boggs, appears to be the new landing spot for Porter. In April 2024, the league banned him permanently after an investigation revealed shocking compromises with the integrity of the game.
While playing on a two-way contract for the Toronto Raptors, Porter intentionally limited his playing time in two different competitions in order to manipulate the results of illegal prop bets. Court documents further detail that he messaged co-conspirators between games to coordinate the scheme and personally placed illegal bets on 13 NBA matchups, netting $22,000 in winnings.
Prior to his ban, Porter, the younger brother of Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., recorded a total of 37 NBA appearances between the Memphis Grizzlies and Raptors, posting modest career averages of 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. In July 2024, Porter pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
While the charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, he will most likely receive a sentence of three to four years.
