Jontay Porter seeks permission to resume career in Greece after NBA ban

Jontay Porter, who has been banned from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games, asked a federal court Tuesday for permission to resume his playing career in Greece.

Porter, in a letter sent by attorney Jeff Jensen, is asking that some conditions of his bond be modified so that he can get his U.S. passport back, be allowed to travel in Europe and to reside in Patras, Greece. Jensen told the court that Porter would play for the Greek club Promitheas BC.

Prosecutors have no opposition to the request, Jensen wrote.

"The proposed modification would allow Mr. Porter to pursue a very fortunate — and quickly diminishing — opportunity to earn income through his primary skill-set," Jensen wrote. "Mr. Porter, and more importantly his agent, believe such an opportunity is unlikely to arise again. ... Since being banned from the NBA there have been no other opportunities available to continue his basketball career. Mr. Porter has a limited window to earn an income through professional basketball during his prime earning years as a professional athlete."

Jensen has said Porter "was in over his head due to a gambling addiction." Porter told the court he has undergone inpatient rehab for a gambling problem and remains in therapy, which is being done virtually and wouldn't be affected by a move to Greece, Jensen said. The Greek club has also arranged in-person counselling for Porter, and plans call for his mother and mother-in-law to regularly be with Porter and his wife in Greece to provide additional family support. Porter's wife is also expecting a baby, Jensen said.

Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts for Toronto this past