Former Toronto Raptors player opens up about gambling scandal that rocked the NBA

Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has opened up about the NBA gambling scandal that inevitably ended his career, and his perspective isn't one you'd expect.

Earlier this week, Porter sat down with 12-year-old TikToker HeyHenryTV at a basketball tournament in Houston for what was his first one-on-one interview since the 2024 NBA gambling investigation that swept the sports world.

In the interview, Porter was asked to reflect on the last two years and he surprisingly said it was the best thing that could've happened to him.

@heyhenrytv I had the opportunity to sit down with Jontay Porter for the first time since his NBA ban and we had a great conversation. The full interview of both Jontay and MPJ is out now and can be viewed at the link in my bio! To raise money for Jontay’s ‘Open Gate Project’ aimed at helping those battling gambling addictions we are auctioning off his brother Michael’s 1 of 1 rookie card signed on card by him. The card is currently live on ALT and the auction ends July 23rd. You can bid at the link in my bio. If you are unable to bid on the card you can still help the cause by sharing and/or signing up to be a matching donor up to any amount at my site in my bio (heyhenrytv.com) #sportscards #nba ♬ original sound - heyhenrytv

In April 2024, the power forward received a lifetime ban from the NBA performing a number of in-game proposition bets to help a group of friends win money while he was with the Raptors.

An NBA investigation found two instances where Porter manipulated his on-court performance to help friends who bet on him to make some dough. It also found that Porter bet his own team, the Toronto Raptors, to lose a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20, 2024.

"Honestly, despite how embarrassing and shameful it was with that — I think it was the best thing that could've happened to me," said Porter.

Porter says it was the last day he ever gambled and that it started to help him repair relationships, something that has been restorative for him.

"Even though that was the hardest time in my life, it has been a blessing in disguise," he said.

After a couple months, Porter said he turned his pain into purpose by opening a charity called the Open Gate Project that helps individuals battling gambling addictions.

"I want to raise awareness and help individuals get help before their lives blow up the same way that mine did," he said.

Porter said he fell into gambling during the pandemic and allegedly placed "millions" in sports wagers from 2021 through 2023.

A NBA investigation found two instances where former Raptors forward Jontay Porter manipulated his on-court performance to help friends win money during the 2023-24 season. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

He only played 26 total games with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 13.8 minutes per game, putting up 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists before having his contract effectively terminated when the NBA banned him.

The 26-year-old is still playing professional basketball, just not in the NBA.

He signed with the Seattle Super Hawks in the USBL in February 2026 as he awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to wire fraud.