Staff Reporter.
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Jontay Porter has been banned for life from the NBA after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and bet on games.
An NBA investigation found the 24-year-old disclosed confidential information about his fitness to sports bettors and limited his participation in games for betting purposes.
Porter also bet on NBA games using a friend’s online account.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Porter’s “blatant violations” warranted the “most severe punishment”.
“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport,” said Silver. “Which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment.”
The investigation found that Porter disclosed information about his fitness to someone he knew to be a sports bettor before a game against Sacramento Kings in March. Porter then claimed to be ill and only played for three minutes.
Another associate of Porter had placed an $80,000 (£64,000) bet that he would under-perform in that game. But because of Porter’s actions and suspicious betting activity the wager, which would have paid out $1.1m (£880,000), was frozen and not settled.
It was also found that Porter bet $54,000 on 13 NBA games using a friend’s online account between January and March 2024. None of the games were ones Porter played in.
NBA players are forbidden from betting on NBA games under league rules.
“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players,” added Silver.
The NBA said the investigation remains open and may result in further findings.
Meanwhile Stephen Curry will make his Olympic debut for the USA after he was named on a 12-man roster for this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
LeBron James, the NBA all-time leading point scorer, will play at the Games for the first time since London 2012.
Kevin Durant is seeking to make history by becoming the first male athlete to win four gold medals in basketball.
Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, has also been included.
The USA are aiming to improve on a disappointing fourth place at last year’s Basketball World Cup.
They have won 16 Olympic gold medals in the sport and have been the champions at each Games since 2004.
Steve Kerr, of the Golden State Warriors , will be their head coach, assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (LA Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat).
USA Olympic basketball team
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.