Kevin Porter Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA.
Porter Jr. first made a name for himself as a high school basketball phenom at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Washington. He led his team to three consecutive state championship game appearances and won state titles in 2015 and 2017. He was named Washington Mr. Basketball in 2018 after averaging 27.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a senior.
After high school, Porter Jr. played one season of college basketball at the University of Southern California. Although USC struggled, he put up solid numbers as a freshman, averaging 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. He declared for the NBA Draft after his freshman season.
In the 2019 NBA Draft, Porter was originally selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 30th and final pick in the first round. However, his rights were then quickly traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a draft-day deal. Porter Jr. joined a rebuilding Cavaliers team led by rising young point guard Collin Sexton and veteran big man Kevin Love. As a rookie in the 2019/2020 season, he averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while playing 23.2 minutes per contest in 50 games.
Porter Jr. was then traded to the Houston Rockets in March 2021, and the 2022/23 season was the breakout season for him, as he averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Kevin Porter Jr. Suspension
Kevin Porter Jr. was suspended by the Houston Rockets on October 2, 2023 after he was arrested and charged for assault on his girlfriend at a hotel in New York.
The NBA has a strict domestic violence policy that requires the league to place a player on paid administrative leave while charges are pending. Porter Jr. was arrested in September 2023, after his girlfriend accused him of choking her and pushing her against a wall during an argument, fracturing a vertebra in her neck.
While Porter Jr. maintains his innocence and has not been convicted of any crime, the NBA policy states that a player can be suspended even without a conviction in order to promote a safe environment. The policy aims to protect victims and hold players accountable for their actions.
Porter Jr. had recently signed a contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being traded from the Rockets. However, the Thunder waived him immediately due to the legal issues.
FAQs
A. Kevin Porter Jr. is 23 years old as of 2023.
A. According to online sources, the net worth of Kevin Porter Jr. is estimated at around $5 million as of 2023.
A. Kevin Porter Jr. plays as a shooting guard.
A. Kevin Porter Jr.’s height is 6’4” and his weight is 92 kg (203 lbs).
