First Defendant In NBA Gambling Scandal Gets Multi-Year Prison Sentence

Mar 13, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) is defended by Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The first major sentencing in the NBA gambling scandal has been issued.

Timothy McCormack received a two-year prison sentence for his role in an illegal gambling ring that defrauded sports betting platforms by using non-public information to place wagers on NBA player performances.

The scandal also allegedly involved former Raptors player Jontay Porter and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

Inside Timothy McCormack’s Sentencing

While the government was seeking a four-year sentence, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall issued a two-year sentence and expressed sympathy toward McCormack.

“He has an addiction,” DeArcy Hall said. “I don’t believe the conduct Mr. McCormack engaged in defines him.”

Despite the compassion, DeArcy Hall acknowledged that McCormack committed a “serious crime” because sports still matter to society.

For his actions, McCormack admitted his misgivings inside the Brooklyn courtroom

“I’ve struggled with a gambling addiction for more than half my life,” McCormack said.

McCormack must report to prison on April 20, 2026. After serving his time, McCormack is subject to one year of unsupervised release, where he is forbidden from gambling. However, the judge left out an “unnecessary” provision on traveling to a casino.

Impact Timothy McCormack’s Sentencing Will Have on Jontay Porter 

McCormack is the first domino in the illegal gambling scheme.

Regarding Porter, he already tanked his NBA career. In early 2024, the NBA opened an investigation into Porter due to unusual conditions surrounding his prop bets.

Porter, who was coming off the bench on a two-way contract, allegedly tanked his performance multiple times to hit a prop bet. For example, lucrative bets were coming in on Porter’s prop bets in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 26, 2024.

Porter’s props were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Porter only played four minutes that night and left the game with an eye injury. The unders hit on every Porter prop.

After the investigation, the NBA banned Porter for life in April 2024.

In July 2024, Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He now awaits sentencing.

What about Terry Rozier?

Unlike McCormack and Porter, Rozier’s case is more complicated.

Rozier faces charges stemming from a game he played as a member of the Charlotte Hornets in March 2023. Similar to Porter, Rozier allegedly helped friends win a prop bet based on his statistical performance.

Last month, Rozier pleaded not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

In October 2025, the Heat placed Rozier on indefinite unpaid leave. Rozier appeared in one game this year for the Heat.

Andrew Foster

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