Jontay Porter signs with USBL's Seattle SuperHawks
Feb 27, 2026
Nearly two years have passed since the NBA handed down one of its most severe disciplinary actions in recent history, punishing Jontay Porter for gambling on NBA games, including ones by his own team. On February 25, 2026, the Seattle SuperHawks of the newly relaunched United States Basketball League announced they had signed the 26-year-old forward, marking his first step back onto a professional court since Commissioner Adam Silver imposed a lifetime ban on Porter.
Porter is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in July 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with the same group of men who were involved in the gambling ring, a felony carrying up to 20 years in prison. However, legal experts anticipate a sentence of three to four years. As to whether the court dates or sentence interrupt his USBL career remains unknown.
After being found to have been part of at least 13 cases of betting between January and March 2024, while a member of the Toronto Raptors, which included prop bets and the provision of confidential health information to bettors, of which he won over $20,000 personally, Porter’s short NBA career came to an end.
Before signing with the USBL, Porter attempted to continue his career overseas in Greece, but was denied by federal judges. Porter's signing with the SuperHawks does nothing to change his NBA or international status.
Seattle is not unfamiliar territory for Porter. He attended Nathan Hale High School, winning a state championship with the Raiders while his father was an assistant coach at the University of Washington. Porter’s wife, Kelli, who is from Mill Creek, Washington, was also a member of the Washington Huskies basketball program for three seasons.
Earning just under $3 million during this time in the NBA, Porter will earn significantly less playing in the rebooted USBL. After shutting down in 2008, the league is set to restart this spring with eight teams located throughout the West Coast. The SuperHawks open their season on March 7 against the Lilac City Legends, with Porter expected to be a focal point for the team.
