Michael Nyarko
Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. has a history of anger management issues, and the recent assault on his girlfriend is not the first instance of him being involved in altercations with individuals in close relationships.
Currently, he is facing serious charges after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend at a hotel in New York City. Prosecutors disclosed that the incident resulted in the woman suffering a fractured neck vertebrae and a cut above her right eye.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, Porter, aged 23, was charged with felony assault and strangulation in relation to the incident that occurred on Monday at the Millennium Hilton near the United Nations in Manhattan. It’s worth noting that he did not have to plead during this short court appearance.
Porter, who had been held in police custody since his arrest at around 6:45 a.m. on Monday September, was instructed to either provide $75,000 in cash or obtain a $100,000 bond in order to secure his release.
Furthermore, he was mandated to maintain a distance from his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.
Porter’s next court appearance in Manhattan is set for October 16th. It’s worth noting that the Houston Rockets have a preseason game scheduled for that day in San Antonio, and their regular season is set to commence approximately two weeks later. A request for comment was made to Porter’s attorney.
According to an official criminal complaint, Gondrezick informed the police that Kevin Porter Jr. repeatedly punched her in the face using a closed fist, resulting in a cut above her right eye, visible bruising, and significant facial pain.
She further reported that the NBA player forcefully gripped her neck, causing breathing difficulties, redness, and bruising in that area.
Medical examinations conducted at the hospital confirmed that Gondrezick, aged 26, suffered a fractured vertebrae in her neck, as outlined in the criminal complaint.
In response to these events, the Houston Rockets issued a statement on Monday, stating that they were actively gathering information and had no additional comments to provide at that time.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s NBA career has been characterized by both on-court success and off-court issues.
MORE : Kevin Porter Jr Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend.
He averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game last year, leading to a lucrative four-year extension with the Houston Rockets.
However, in November 2020, during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Porter faced legal trouble after a loaded handgun and marijuana were found in his car following a single-vehicle crash.
Porter asserted that he was unaware of the gun’s presence, and eventually, the charges against him were dropped.
Porter, a first-round draft pick from USC in 2019, was subsequently traded from Cleveland to Houston after reportedly clashing with the Cavaliers’ general manager, triggered by the relocation of his locker to accommodate a newly acquired player.
In April 2021, Porter was fined $50,000 by the NBA for violating the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols due to his visit to a Miami strip club.
In January last year, he faced suspension from the Houston Rockets for a game following an incident during halftime, described by then-coach Stephen Silas as a “spirited debate” in which Porter “lost his temper.”