Disgraced Former NBA Player Jontay Porter To Play In USBL

Ana Kieu
Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) is defended

Disgraced former NBA player Jontay Porter is set to play in the United States Basketball League (USBL). Here’s what you need to know about Porter and the USBL.

Jontay Porter To Play In USBL

Porter was banned for life from the NBA in 2024 but has a new gig with the USBL’s Seattle SuperHawks in Seattle, Washington. The NBA banned him for life following a gambling scandal that wrecked his professional basketball career. There’s no doubt that some leagues would shy away from signing the 26-year-old, but the USBL appears to be okay with any backlash that might arise from the public.

The USBL told TMZ Sports that they believe in second chances. The USBL’s statement said that they’ve always stood for opportunity and added that they believe in supporting players committed to learning from their past and rebuilding their future.

Porter’s Overall Outlook

Porter’s overall outlook appears to be optimistic on the court but uncertain off the court. His new opportunity with the Seattle SuperHawks can help him head in a positive direction, with the SuperHawks organization expressing their confidence in him and the USBL claiming that he has shown genuine remorse and is strongly committed to achieving personal growth.

He is still awaiting sentencing in connection with a federal gambling investigation. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is expected to receive a sentence between three and four years in prison, despite a potential maximum sentence of 20 years.

Porter’s Next Steps

The USBL and the Seattle SuperHawks appear to be confident in giving him a second chance in the professional basketball world, but at the end of the day, it’s up to him to rebuild himself, both as an athlete and a changed man.

If he suits up for the SuperHawks’ game against the Lilac City Legends, this will be his first professional basketball game since the NBA banned him for life in 2024. The SuperHawks vs. Legends game would showcase an in-state rivalry between Seattle and Spokane.

An accomplished journalist, Ana Kieu has been working as a sportswriter for a decade. Ana's sportswriting experience includes both national and local media outlets, such as USA Today, SB Nation, Inside Hockey, SFBay.ca, and Sports Radio Service.