Federal judge rejects Jontay Porter appeal to resume career in Greece after NBA ban

A federal judge has denied a request by former NBA player Jontay Porter to be allowed to resume his basketball career in Greece while he is awaiting sentencing for his role in a betting scandal that got him banned from the league.

Porter, in a letter sent by attorney Jeff Jensen on Tuesday, had asked that some conditions of his bond be modified so that he can get his U.S. passport back, be allowed to travel in Europe and to reside in Patras, Greece. Jensen told the court that Porter would play for the Greek club Promitheas BC.

But a court posting Wednesday shows the request was denied by Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Jensen declined to comment on the decision.

In his letter to the judge, Jensen had noted that federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, N.Y., had no opposition to the request.

"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. "Mr. Porter, and more importantly his agent, believe such an opportunity is unlikely to arise again. ... 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."

Porter, 24, was banned from the NBA after admitting he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games. He pleaded guilty last month to a federal conspiracy crime. He is free on $250,000 US bond while awaiting sentencing set on Dec. 18, and prosecutors have estimated that he could be facing a range from just under 3 1/2 years in prison to a little over four years.

Jensen has said Porter "was in over his head due to a gambling addiction." Porter told the court he has undergone inpatient rehab for a gambling problem and remains in therapy, which is being done virtually and wouldn't be affected by a move to Greece, Jensen said. The Greek club also arranged in-person counselling for Porter, and plans called for his mother and mother-in-law to regularly be with Porter and his wife in Greece to provide additional family support. Porter's wife is expecting a baby, Jensen said.

Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts for Toronto this past season. He also played in 11 games for Memphis in the 2020-21 season.

Porter was banned by NBA commissioner Adam Silver in April after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games.