• Loading stock data...
Monday, November 4, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

NBA Investigating Raptors Center Jontay Porter Over Suspicious Prop Bets

  • The investigation comes amid a series of high-profile gambling scandals in U.S. sports.
  • Porter is a role player for the Raptors and isn’t a major contributor to the team.
Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports

Jontay Porter might have taken the phrase “bet on yourself” too far. Now the Raptors center’s career could be in jeopardy amid a league investigation.

The NBA is looking into Porter for “multiple instances of betting irregularities” in recent months, ESPN reported Monday night.

Suspicious bets on Porter props were placed in at least two games in January and March, according to ESPN.

The 24-year-old Porter is a role player on the Raptors and averages just 14 minutes per game.  In a Jan. 26 game against the Clippers, Porter’s props for the night of 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 three-pointers made, ESPN reported. In the game, Porter played just four minutes before exiting the game due to an eye injury the Raptors said he previously sustained. He went scoreless in the game and had three rebounds and one assist, meaning the unders on all of his props hit. 

The next day, DraftKings stated in its daily report to users that the under on Porter’s threes was the biggest money winner for NBA prop bettors that night. 

Porter played just three minutes against the Kings on March 20 and exited due to illness, the team said at the time, after taking just one shot and grabbing two rebounds. Sportsbooks had his over/under set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Just like the Clippers game, all of the unders on Porter’s props hit against Sacramento. 

DraftKings again reported that Porter’s prop bets were the top moneymaker among NBA bets that previous night. 

Prop bets are typically limited to the low four figures, according to ESPN, but someone reportedly attempted to place bets as high as $20,000 on the Porter props for that Clippers game in January. 

Porter is the younger brother of Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. and had played in 26 NBA games this season after back-to-back ACL tears in college at Missouri derailed his career. Jontay was on a two-way contract with the Raptors, making $415,000. He played in 11 games for the Grizzlies in the 2020–21 season. 

Porter has missed the Raptors’ two most recent games due to personal reasons. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said before Monday’s game against the Nets that he had just become aware of the situation.

“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players,” Rajaković said. “Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”

The Porter situation arrives as U.S. sports have been rocked by a series of gambling scandals, including millions of dollars in transfers from MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani’s bank account to an illegal bookmaker. It also comes as the NBA itself is heavily pushing gambling, inserting a direct gambling option into its League Pass streaming service.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Super Bowl Ads Sell Out Three Months Early, at Record Price

Ad units are believed to be selling at more than $7 million per 30 seconds.
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) is introduced to the fans during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

All Eyes on Cooper Flagg As College Basketball Tips Off

He makes his NCAA debut with Duke on Monday.
Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives to the basket during the second half against UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center.

Women’s College Basketball Begins Its Star-Studded Post–Caitlin Clark Era

Women outdrew the men in the championship with 18.9 million viewers.

Sports Drive Fox Corp.’s Revenue Despite Election Ad Overload

The Fox Sports parent posted increases in revenue and earnings.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Surprising Start to MLB’s Offseason

0:00

Featured Today

Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Donald Trump holding a basketball in the White House
October 30, 2024

Mavericks Owner’s $100 Million Trump Donation Dwarfs All Other Sports Owner Political Giving

Dr. Miriam Adelson is one of the most powerful donors in U.S. politics.
Tony Hinchcliffe at Donald Trump rally.

Sports Betting Companies Holding Comic at Arm’s Length After Trump Rally

Hinchcliffe drew criticism over his comments at a rally for Trump.
October 29, 2024

Parent of Action Network, Playmaker HQ Cuts More Than 100 Jobs

Better Collective laid off dozens of employees this week.
November 1, 2024

Polymarket Is Pushing Into Sports Betting

Once the ballots are counted, Polymarket needs to take on sports.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Tony Hinchcliffe
October 28, 2024

DraftKings ‘Evaluating’ Relationship With Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe After Trump Rally

DraftKings says his jokes did not “reflect the views” of the company.
A DraftKings sign
October 7, 2024

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
A Jacksonville Jaguars logo
October 1, 2024

Imprisoned Ex-Jaguars Employee Sues FanDuel for $250 Million

Amit Patel stole tens of millions of dollars from the NFL team.
September 16, 2024

MLB Players Union Sues DraftKings, FanDuel

The union says the sites don’t have the rights to use player images.