The Los Angeles Clippers have officially signed guard Kevin Porter Jr. prompting the NBA to resume its investigation into his domestic violence case. The league’s decision follows the announcement by a spokesperson to CBS Sports, with the initial report from The Athletic’s Law Murray.
In September last year, while Porter was with the Houston Rockets, he was arrested in New York on charges of assault and strangulation. The charges stemmed from accusations made by his then-girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, who claimed Porter had repeatedly punched and strangled her. The NBA began an investigation into the incident, which was paused when the Oklahoma City Thunder waived Porter after a trade from the Rockets.
On the same day as his trade and release, Gondrezick told the New York Post that Porter did not punch her in the face multiple times, contradicting the police report.
Porter did not participate in the 2023-24 NBA season. In January, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and harassment. His plea deal allows him to withdraw his guilty plea and clear his record after one year if he completes a court-ordered treatment program, avoids further arrests, attends all court dates, and adheres to his order of protection.
In April, Kevin Porter Jr signed with PAOK, a Greek basketball team, where he played six games.
At a media event following the NBA’s Board of Governors meetings, Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the case, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations but noting the need for thorough investigation. “The allegations here are horrific,” Silver said. “We have a domestic violence policy that was collectively bargained with the Players Association. Every case, though, also depends on its unique facts.”
Silver stated that the league was taking its time to gather all necessary information since the incident occurred out of season, allowing for a more deliberate approach.
Previously, in August 2020, Kevin Porter Jr was accused of assaulting a woman during an altercation involving his sister. Porter was not charged in that incident.
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