Jontay Porter, banned from NBA for illegal betting, signs with USBL's SuperHawks
jontay porter has signed with the Seattle Superhawks of the United States Basketball League and could make his first professional appearance since his NBA ban when the USBL opens its season on March 7. The move represents a return to organized competition for a player who pleaded guilty to a federal charge tied to an illegal betting scheme and remains awaiting sentencing.
What Jontay Porter’s USBL signing means
The signing places jontay porter on a professional roster in a league that recently relaunched after a long dormancy. If he suits up for the SuperHawks on the opening day, it would mark his first pro game since the league ban that followed findings of illegal betting and alleged manipulation of in-game play to influence prop bets. The USBL’s return to regular operations offers an alternative domestic platform for players ineligible for the NBA.
Legal status and recent developments
Porter was banned by the NBA in 2024 for illegal betting related to games he participated in. He subsequently was charged by the U. S. Department of Justice and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Federal prosecutors said Porter took himself out early from two Toronto games during the 2023–24 season so that a betting ring could win prop bets, and four other men were charged as part of that scheme the same summer. Porter is currently awaiting sentencing.
After pleading guilty, Porter attempted to join an overseas professional club, but a federal judge denied his request to play abroad. The U. S. Attorney’s Office that brought the case and pretrial services did not oppose his joining that team, yet the court declined the request. That refusal left domestic options as the remaining avenue for a pro return, which the USBL signing now provides.
Context: league relaunch and broader investigations
The United States Basketball League relaunched last fall after a previous run that ended in 2008. The league’s revival created roster spots and playing opportunities ahead of the upcoming season opener on March 7, the date cited as the potential return moment for Porter.
Separately, federal authorities pursued multiple illegal gambling investigations last fall that produced numerous indictments. One related investigation resulted in an indictment of another NBA player for alleged involvement in a scheme tied to some of the same people and similar tactics. That case included allegations that the player removed himself early from a game in 2023 and shared inside information that was later used by bettors. That player has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges through legal representation. Some individuals arrested in that broader probe were also charged in a college basketball gambling scandal involving nearly two dozen players and more than a dozen schools.
Next steps and limits on play
At present, the immediate practical milestone is whether jontay porter will suit up on March 7 for the SuperHawks. His ability to play in the USBL is enabled by the league’s relaunch and the fact that a domestic team signed him despite his NBA ban and pending federal case. Sentencing remains outstanding, and the court’s prior denial of permission to play overseas underscores that legal restrictions and judicial discretion still influence where and when he may compete.
Recent moves illustrate the narrow path remaining for players who face league bans and criminal convictions: a revived domestic league can offer chances to return to the court, but judicial and prosecutorial actions continue to shape the practical limits on participation. Details may continue to evolve as the season approaches and as legal proceedings progress.
