Jontay Porter, banned from NBA, signs with USBL's SuperHawks - ESPN

ESPN

by Brian Windhorst

February 26, 2026

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Jontay Porter, banned from the NBA for life in 2024 due to a gambling scandal, has found a new beginning with the Seattle SuperHawks of the United States Basketball League (USBL). The former NBA player, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison but is expected to receive a sentence of 3-4 years, has signed on to play for the newly formed league as he awaits sentencing. Porter’s case, which began with allegations of fixing games while playing for the Toronto Raptors in the 2023-24 season, has also implicated other figures in the NBA, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. Porter’s journey from NBA stardom to legal turmoil began when federal investigators uncovered his role in a scheme to manipulate game outcomes for prop bets. He admitted to conspiring with gamblers to alter his performance during two Raptors games, and an NBA investigation further revealed that he had personally bet on 13 NBA games in 2024—a direct violation of league rules. Despite these setbacks, Porter has sought to continue his basketball career, even petitioning a federal judge in 2024 to play for a team in Greece, though the request was denied. The USBL’s Seattle SuperHawks, part of a revamped professional basketball league, announced Porter

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026