Michael Porter Jr. defends brother Jontay amid betting probe

Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr. stated Wednesday evening that he is certain youthful brother Jontay would by no means do something to jeopardize his budding NBA profession.

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

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

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

“I’ve recognized my brother my entire life. I do know what sort of dude he’s and I do know he is excited to play basketball and I extremely doubt he would do something to place that in jeopardy,” Michael Porter Jr. stated.

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

The youthful Porter is averaging 4.4 factors, 3.2 rebounds and a pair 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 workers, 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. stated he and others usually hear how their on-court efficiency impacts bettors.

“Yeah, particularly the previous few years you hear folks within the crowd saying what they want you to attain tonight or what they do not need you to attain,” he stated. “Each evening you are disappointing somebody. You are disappointing folks for those who rating an excessive amount of as a result of they could have wager on the underneath, and also you’re disappointing folks for those who did not rating sufficient.

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

“It is positively one thing that has type of taken over the sporting world — I do not know if it is a good factor or a nasty factor.”

The Related Press contributed to this report.