NBA has handed down a lifetime ban to Jontay Porter, a forward for the Toronto Raptors, for multiple violations of the league's gambling policy. The announcement was made by the NBA on Wednesday, following a thorough investigation into Porter's actions.

According to the NBA's statement, Porter was found to have disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, intentionally limited his participation in a game to influence betting outcomes, and placed bets on NBA games. Specifically, Porter admitted to feeling ill after playing only three minutes in the Raptors' game against the Brooklyn Nets and disclosed his health status to an individual known to be an NBA bettor before the game. Another individual associated with Porter placed an $80,000 bet predicting that Porter would underperform in that game.

Further investigation revealed that from January to March 2024, while traveling with the Raptors and their G League team, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else's betting account. These bets ranged from $15 to $22,000, totaling $54,094. Despite winning $21,965 from these bets, none involved games in which Porter played, although he did bet on the Raptors to lose in three separate parlay bets, all of which lost.

Porter, who is 24 and the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., has not played since the NBA began its investigation on March 25. The Raptors removed him from the lineup prior to their game against the Brooklyn Nets that night, and he has not returned since. In his first season with the Raptors on a two-way deal, Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 26 games this season.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had hinted at the possibility of a lifetime ban for Porter on April 10, a week before the official announcement. Silver emphasized the seriousness of gambling on NBA games, calling it a "cardinal sin" and stating that the ultimate disciplinary option available to him was to ban a player from the game.

The rise of legal sports gambling in the U.S. has led to an increase in incidents involving professional athletes betting on sports. While the NFL has suspended several players for gambling over the past two years, lifetime bans are rare. Porter now joins the ranks of former MLB player Pete Rose, who was also banned for gambling on his sport.

This lifetime ban serves as a stern warning to all NBA players about the severe consequences of violating the league's gambling policy, reaffirming the NBA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game.