Banned NBA player texted gamblers during games about gambling situation, court documents state
A sixth person has been arrested in a betting scheme that saw Jontay Porter banned for life from the NBA.
Porter, who also faces criminal charges, was barred from the NBA after it was revealed that he was betting on the NBA and was involved in a scheme where conspirators benefited based on the information he provided.
Court documents revealed this week that Porter wrote to those involved in the scheme, with one document saying that betting on his proposals “below” would come in “huge numbers.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jontay Porter, #34 of the Toronto Raptors, warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 9, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
“No steal blocks. I’m going to play first 2-3 minutes coming off the bench and then when I’m taken off I’ll tell them my eye is killing me again,” Porter is said to have sent Shane Hennen, the latest arrestee, a message. on Jan. 26 before the Toronto Raptors played a game.
Hennen was arrested at the Las Vegas airport on Sunday before he boarded a flight to Colombia.
At the beginning of last January, Porter sent another message saying, “I went back to the locker room to get my eyes checked. Idk if he stops he’s playing too much. I’m not starting the second half. But if it’s garbage time I’ll shoot a million.”
Porter pleaded guilty wire fraud conspiracy and faces more than 20 years in prison, although prosecutors believe he will serve about four. His sentencing will take place on May 20.
In court in July, Porter said he agreed to withdraw early from games to get out of huge gambling debts so he and the conspirators could win bets on his performance.
Jontay Porter, #34 of the Toronto Raptors, fights for a rebound against Lindy Waters III, #43, of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Toronto on March 22, 2024 . (Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
LAKERS TAKE MICHAEL COOPER’S NUMBER. 21 JERSEY FOR AN EMOTIONAL NIGHT
“I know what I did was wrong, it was illegal, and I’m very sorry,” he said.
Porter received a lifetime ban on April 17 after the NBA found in an investigation that he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and placed bets on games in violation of league rules. The NBA prohibits players from betting on the league or any of its aspects.
The NBA said it found that, from January to March of this year, while Porter was with the Raptors or his G League team, the Raptors 905, he placed “at least 13 bets on NBA games using the account partner’s bet.”
Porter’s attorney, Jeff Jensen, said in June that Porter was “going through the motions of a gambling addiction” but was receiving treatment and cooperating with law enforcement.
Jontay Porter, #34 of the Toronto Raptors, drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 13, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. (Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
One of Porter’s brothers, Coban, began serving a six-year sentence in April for aggravated DUI. Another brother, Michael, is the backbone of the group The Denver Nuggets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.
