Michael Porter Jr. defends brother Jontay amid betting probe

Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr. mentioned Wednesday night time that he is positive youthful brother Jontay would by no means do something to jeopardize his budding NBA profession.

Jontay Porter, a ahead for the Toronto Raptors, is under investigation by the NBA following a number of cases of betting irregularities over the previous a number of months, sources advised ESPN earlier this week. At problem are prop bets involving Porter from video games on Jan. 26 and March 20, sources mentioned. An NBA spokesman advised ESPN that the league is “looking into it.”

Michael Porter Jr. took the rostrum following the Nuggets’ loss at dwelling to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night time and was requested in regards to the probe involving his brother.

Michael Porter Jr. mentioned he has no extra particulars than the media does however he vouched for his brother, who at 24 is a 12 months youthful than him, saying, “Jontay loves the game of basketball” and has been thrilled to play for Toronto on a two-way contract this season.

“I’ve known my brother my whole life. I know what type of dude he is and I know he’s excited to play basketball and I highly doubt he would do anything to put that in jeopardy,” Michael Porter Jr. mentioned.

Jontay Porter hasn’t publicly addressed the scenario, and he has missed the previous couple of the Raptors’ video games, with the workforce citing private causes.

The youthful Porter is averaging 4.4 factors, 3.2 rebounds and a couple of.3 assists in 26 video games, together with 5 begins. The 6-foot-10 Porter additionally performed in 11 video games for Memphis within the 2020-21 season.

NBA gamers, together with all league staff, are prohibited from betting on any NBA occasions, together with prop bets. Violations of the coverage might embrace fines, suspensions and potential termination of contracts, amongst different actions.

Michael Porter Jr. mentioned he and others repeatedly hear how their on-court efficiency impacts bettors.

“Yeah, especially the last few years you hear people in the crowd saying what they need you to score tonight or what they don’t want you to score,” he mentioned. “Every night you’re disappointing someone. You’re disappointing people if you score too much because they may have bet on the under, and you’re disappointing people if you didn’t score enough.

“So, it is part of the sport now. I believe that it is clearly a harmful behavior. It’s a harmful vice for folks,” he added. “You know, the love of cash is the foundation of all evil. So, I believe that although it’s a factor, we as gamers simply have to just accept that. We receives a commission some huge cash to play this sport and I do know these folks, these followers, they wish to make some cash, as effectively.

“It’s definitely something that has kind of taken over the sporting world — I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.