Jontay Porter's request to live and play basketball in Greece is denied as disgraced NBA star awaits sentencing over $1million gambling scheme

A federal judge has denied a request by former Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter to be allowed to resume his basketball career in Greece while he is awaiting sentencing for his role in a betting scandal that got him banned from the league.

In a letter sent by his attorney, Jeff Jensen, on Tuesday, Porter asked that some conditions of his bond be modified so that he could re-gain his US passport, be allowed to travel to Europe, and to reside in Patras, Greece so that he could play for the Greek club Promitheas BC.

However, according to a court posting on Wednesday, that request has been denied by Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall.

In a letter sent to the judge, Jensen noted that federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had no opposition to the request.

'The proposed modification would allow Mr. Porter to pursue a very fortunate - and quickly diminishing - opportunity to earn income through his primary skillset,' 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.'

Porter, age 24, was banned for life from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games. 

He pled guilty in June to a federal conspiracy crime. He is currently free on $250,000 bond while awaiting his sentencing which is set for December 18.

Prosecutors estimate he could be facing a range of up to over four years in prison.  

Jensen says that Porter 'was in over his head due to a gambling addiction' and that he has undergone inpatient rehab for a gambling problem and is still in therapy.

The attorney adds that Porter's therapy is being done virtually and wouldn't be affected by a move to Greece.

Promitheas BC has also arranged in-person counseling for Porter, and plans called for his mother and mother-in-law to regularly be with the basketball star and his wife in Greece to provide additional family support. Porter's wife is expecting a child, according to Jensen.

This past season with the Raptors, Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 26 games including five starts.