Former NBA player Jontay Porter is facing renewed scrutiny after court documents obtained by The Athletic revealed he texted co-conspirators during games to provide insider updates for a gambling scheme.

Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr. and the first NBA player to receive a lifetime ban since O.J. Mayo in 2016, admitted to manipulating his performance to help bettors profit on "under" wagers tied to his stats.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation involves a January 22, 2024, game between the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies. While in the locker room for an eye injury, Porter sent a text stating he wouldn’t return for the second half but joked that if he played in "garbage time," he’d "shoot a million shots." This message was shared with gamblers, allowing them to place strategic bets. Similar schemes reportedly occurred in other games, including one against the Los Angeles Clippers, where Porter planned to fake an aggravated eye injury after just a few minutes on the court.

Prosecutors say Porter’s actions were motivated by significant gambling debts. He has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and is awaiting sentencing in May 2025. Meanwhile, Shane Hennen, another alleged co-conspirator, was arrested over the weekend for his role in the operation.

The NBA has since banned player phone use during games to prevent similar incidents.