Unbelievable: another Porter brother in legal trouble during Nuggets playoff run
By Ben Handler
It has been a wild few weeks for the Porter family, and most of the wildness has not been good. Michael Porter Jr. has been playing great basketball for the Nuggets, and his shooting is a big reason the team was able to dispatch the Lakers in five games.
Jontay Porter banned from NBA for gambling
But MPJ has been the only family member making the news for positive reasons. First, his brother Jontay Porter, who played for the Raptors and their G-League affiliate, was investigated for sports betting. The league found that Porter was guilty of betting on NBA games and he has now been banned for life from the NBA.
Coban Porer sentenced to prison
Then, the following week, another brother of MPJ, Coban Porter was sentenced to six years in prison after crashing his car while driving under the influence and slaying a woman. MPJ actually missed a practice to go speak on Coban’s behalf during the sentencing.
And now another shoe has dropped, as yet another brother, Jevon Porter has been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Jevon is just 20 years old, and a player for the Pepperdine men’s basketball team. He was speeding and under the influence of alcohol when pulled over and arrested in Boone County, Missouri.
NEW Brother of Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr, Jevon Porter, arrested for DWI
— Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) May 1, 2024
Comes weeks after other brother Coban was sentenced to prison for killing a woman while driving drunk
His other brother Jontay was just banned from NBA for life for gamblinghttps://t.co/G0klgnBfAh
Incredibly, through it all, Michael Porter Jr. has remained focused on the task at hand, helping the Nuggets win playoff basketball games. It’s impossible to imagine what he’s dealing with and how easily he could be distracted by the ongoing legal issues now facing three of his brothers for three separate incidents.
Perhaps, in a way, basketball is cathartic for MPJ and provides him a distraction and outlet to avoid dwelling on the horrors facing his family members. It’s a testament to him for being strong-willed enough to keep things together and he’s been playing some of the best ball of his career.
It remains to be seen if he can overcome this latest distraction and thrive against the league’s best defense in round two. The Timberwolves will pose a very tough challenge and MPJ will need to be on top of his game on both ends. I’m sure he’ll be faced with more questions from the media, but so far the young man has done an outstanding job in the face of tough circumstances that are in no way his fault.