Toronto Raptors' Porter banned from NBA for violating league rules on gambling

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The NBA said on Wednesday it banned Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter violating the league's rules on gambling, including bets against his own team.

"The league’s investigation found that prior to the Raptors’ March 20 game, Porter disclosed confidential information about his own health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor," the NBA said in a statement.

"Another individual with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet with an online sports book, to win $1.1 million, wagering that Porter would underperform in the March 20 game," it added.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said “there is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment."

The 24-year-old averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games for the Raptors this season.