Jontay Porter's Texts to Co-Conspirators Revealed in Court Docs Amid Betting Scandal

Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter sent multiple messages outlining plans to intentionally influence NBA games for betting purposes, according to federal prosecutors.

Per The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York laid out specific texts Porter delivered to co-conspirators in the case.

In one instance, he indicated midway through Toronto's 108-100 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 22, 2024, that he didn't expect to play in the second half because of an eye injury. If he returned to the court in garbage time, however, he said that "I will shoot a million shots."

Porter was more specific ahead of the Raptors' matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers four days later, saying he planned to rule himself out early into the contest.

"Hit unders for the big numbers," Porter said (via Vorkunov). "I told [Co-Conspirator 2] no blocks no steals. I'm going to play first 2-3 minute stint off the bench then when I get subbed out tell them my eye killing me again."

Porter played four minutes in the Raptors' 127-107 loss, finishing with three rebounds and one assist.

Prosecutors allege the 25-year-old aided the co-conspirators in part to help erase "significant gambling debts."

Both the Jan. 26 Raptors defeat to the Clippers and a 123-89 loss to the Sacramento Kings were flagged for suspicious betting patterns. According to ESPN, a prop bet tied to Porter's three-pointers against Los Angeles was the biggest winner for bettors at DraftKings Sportsbook that night. The same was true for a points and rebounds prop bet for him against Sacramento.

"A sportsbook industry source told ESPN that multiple betting accounts attempted to bet large amounts, upward of $10,000 and $20,000, on Porter unders in the January game against the Clippers," the report said. "Betting limits on NBA player props vary by sportsbook and customer but are typically around $1,000 to $2,000."

Porter pleaded guilty to wire fraud in July, and the NBA banned him from the league last April. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.