Jontay Porter signs with Seattle SuperHawks after NBA ban
Jontay Porter, banned for life from the NBA for a sports betting scandal, joins the United States Basketball League. The former Raptors player will play for the Seattle SuperHawks starting March 2026.
Mar 13, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) is defended by Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit : © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jontay Porter is making his return to professional basketball. The former Toronto Raptors player, banned for life by the NBA in 2024 for a sports betting scandal, has signed with the Seattle SuperHawks of the newly recreated United States Basketball League (USBL). The team made the signing official on Wednesday.
The SuperHawks will begin their season on March 7 against the Lilac City Legends, marking Porter’s return to official competition since his exclusion from the NBA. This signing comes while the player is still awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal charges related to betting.
BREAKING: Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life pic.twitter.com/BvR8hY8kIn
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 17, 2024
A scandal that shook the NBA
Porter had been accused of manipulating his performances and collaborating with bettors to influence betting results on his statistics during two games with the Raptors during the 2023-2024 season. The NBA investigation also revealed that Porter had personally bet on 13 NBA games in 2024 in which he did not participate, thus violating league rules and winning $22,000.
In July 2024, Porter pleaded guilty in a federal court in Brooklyn to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a crime punishable by 20 years in prison. According to ESPN, he is expected to receive a sentence of 3 to 4 years at his sentencing. His lawyer had stated that he was « overwhelmed by a gambling addiction. »
Jontay Porter (yes, that Jontay Porter) has signed with the Seattle Super Hawks of the USBL 👀
How is this even possible? 🤔
via IG/ssuperhawks pic.twitter.com/Bw5hRkCMYr
— Covers (@Covers) February 26, 2026
A request by Porter to play for a team in Greece was denied by a federal judge in 2024. This scandal is part of a series of cases that have recently rocked the NBA, notably involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.
The USBL, which operated from 1985 to 2008 before closing, resumes operations on March 6 with eight teams based on the American West Coast. Porter, who had only played 37 games in two NBA seasons, will have the opportunity to restart his career in this emerging league.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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