Kevin Porter Jr.
Porter with the Houston Rockets in 2022
Free agent
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
Personal information
Born (2000-05-04) May 4, 2000
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High schoolRainier Beach
(Seattle, Washington)
CollegeUSC (2018–2019)
NBA draft2019: 1st round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2021Cleveland Cavaliers
2021–2023Houston Rockets
2021→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Bryan Kevin Porter Jr. (born May 4, 2000), also known by his initials KPJ, is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Porter Jr. played college basketball for the USC Trojans.

Early life

Porter was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ayanna and Bryan Kevin Porter Sr.[1] Porter Sr. was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in 1993 and later died in a shooting in 2004 when Porter Jr. was four years old.[2][3] As a result, Porter Jr. was raised by his mother, who became his role model.[4][5]

High school career

Porter convinced his mother to enroll him at Rainier Beach High School instead of O'Dea High School in Seattle, because his father had played sports there and he wanted to preserve the tradition. In his senior campaign, he averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, as Rainier Beach finished with a 22–7 record.[1] On March 3, 2018, Porter recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds in a Class 3A state championship game loss to Garfield High School.[6] At the end of the season, he was named Washington Mr. Basketball by the state coaches association.[7]

Recruiting

Porter was considered a five-star recruit by recruiting services 247Sports and Rivals and a four-star recruit by ESPN.[8][9][10] He was the top-ranked player from Washington in the 2018 class and received offers from several NCAA Division I programs, including UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, before committing to USC.[8][11] Porter became the first USC player since DeMar DeRozan in 2008 to be rated a five-star recruit by Rivals.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Kevin Porter Jr.
SG		 Seattle, WA Rainier Beach (WA) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jul 2, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN grade: 89
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 16  247Sports: 27  ESPN: 40
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "USC 2018 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  • "2018 USC Trojans Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 29, 2018.

College career

Porter debuted for USC on November 6, 2018, scoring 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting in an 83–62 win over Robert Morris.[12] On November 20, against Missouri State, he suffered a quadriceps contusion. He returned on December 1 versus Nevada but left after four minutes because he was hindered by the injury.[13] He missed nine games with a quad contusion, and returned again on January 10, 2019, scoring five points in 25 minutes.[14]

Three days later he was suspended indefinitely by USC for "personal conduct issues".[15] Regardless, Porter stated that he would finish the season with the team[16] and then played in the last three games of the season. He averaged 9.8 points, four rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22 minutes a game, playing in 21 of USC's 33 games.[17]

At the conclusion of his freshman season, Porter announced his intention to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft.

Professional career

Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2021)

Porter at the grand opening of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in 2019

In the 2019 NBA draft, Porter was selected 30th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks but was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers via the Detroit Pistons.[18][19] On July 3, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they had signed Porter.[20] On October 23, Porter made his debut in the NBA, playing in a 85–94 loss to the Orlando Magic and finishing with one rebound, two assists, and a steal.[21] On November 4, Porter was suspended for one game without pay for improperly making contact with a game official.[22] His first NBA start for the Cavaliers came on November 19 against the New York Knicks in a 123–105 loss, where he recorded a then career-high 18 points in 31 minutes.[23]

Porter started the 2020–21 season inactive due to his off-season weapons charge, which was later dropped.[24] On January 18, 2021, the Cavaliers announced that Porter would either be traded or released following an outburst regarding a locker change following the Cavaliers' acquisition of Taurean Prince from the Brooklyn Nets. He was traded to the Rockets three days later, having not played a single game with the Cavaliers in the 2020–21 season.[25]

Houston Rockets (2021–2023)

On January 21, 2021, Porter was traded to the Houston Rockets for a future top-55 protected second round pick.[26][27] He was later assigned to the Rockets' G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, debuting for the Vipers in their season opener on February 10, 2021. On February 25, he recorded the first triple-double of the G League season, scoring 27 points, collecting 11 rebounds and dishing out 14 assists.[28] On March 6, the Rockets officially recalled Porter from the Vipers after an impressive performance in the G-League.[29]

Porter made his official debut with the Rockets on March 11, 2021, contributing 13 points, ten assists and five rebounds in a game lost against the Sacramento Kings.[30] On April 28, Porter was fined $50,000 for violating the league's Health and Safety Protocols.[31] In the next following day after the incident, he scored 50 points and recorded 11 assists in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to have 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game.[32] By the end of the regular season, Porter had only played 26 games with the Rockets due to the many conflicts he was dealing with, averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 turnovers per game.

On January 1, 2022, during a 111–124 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Porter and teammate Christian Wood got into a verbal altercation with Rockets assistant coach John Lucas at halftime. Porter then threw an object into the locker room and left the Toyota Center, the arena where the Rockets were playing, before the game ended.[33] On January 3, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas stated that he had suspended both Porter and Wood for one game each for their behavior.[34] On March 31, 2022, he recorded his first triple double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 121–118 loss against Sacramento.

On October 17, 2022, Porter agreed on a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension with the Rockets.[35] On March 23, 2023, he recorded his second triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 130–125 loss against Memphis.

On October 17, 2023, Porter was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder following his domestic assault charge.[36] However, he was waived after the trade was completed.[37]

Player profile

Porter dunking over Dzanan Musa of the Brooklyn Nets

Standing at 6 feet and 4 inches (1.93 meters) with a 6 ft. and 9 in. wingspan (2.05 m), Porter plays both the point guard and shooting guard positions. On offense, he possesses a strong isolation game that is complemented by a high level of athleticism that allows him to be an effective scorer on the perimeter, at and above the rim, and in transition.[38] His elite handling skills allow him to create space and defer to either a step-back jumper, a pull-up shot out of a crossover, or a behind-the-back dribble pull-back.[39][40] Scouts have pointed out his defense and rebounding abilities as another strength, forcing turnovers and running the ball down the court.

At the time of the draft, he was compared to DeShawn Stevenson, Nick Young, JR Smith, James Harden, C.J. Miles, and Kelly Oubre, Jr.[38][41][42][43] Since the start of the 2018–19 season, Porter was projected as a first-round prospect for the 2019 NBA draft.[44] He looks up to James Harden, a fellow left-handed guard, citing him as one of the biggest influences on his game.[17][45]

Analysts identified his shot selection, assist-to-turnover ratio, and foul-shooting as a point of improvement in his game in addition to other miscellaneous off-the-court concerns.[39]

Personal life

Weapons charge

On November 15, 2020, Porter Jr. was charged by Mahoning County police following a single car accident for improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle. In a statement the Cleveland Cavaliers stated, "We are aware of the situation involving Kevin Porter Jr. and are in the process of gathering information. We have spoken with Kevin and will continue to address this privately with him as the related process evolves."[46]

A grand jury in Mahoning County declined to indict Porter on the felony gun charge. It was determined that both the vehicle and the gun belonged to his mother.[47] Misdemeanor charges of driving without a license were also dropped.[48]

Domestic violence charge

On September 11, 2023, Porter Jr. was arrested and charged by the New York Police Department for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Kysre Gondrezick.[49] Afterwards the Houston Rockets barred Porter, not allowing him to have any interaction with the team. After the Rockets traded Porter to the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 17, he was immediately waived by the Thunder.[50]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Cleveland 50323.2.442.335.7233.22.2.9.310.0
2020–21 Houston 262332.1.400.368.7343.86.3.7.316.6
2021–22 Houston 616131.3.415.375.6424.46.21.1.415.6
2022–23 Houston 595934.3.442.366.7845.35.71.4.319.2
Career 19614630.2.431.357.7254.35.01.1.315.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 USC 21422.1.471.412.5224.01.4.8.59.5

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Kevin Porter Jr". University of Southern California Athletics. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Wizards announcer apologizes to Kevin Porter Jr. For mistaken allusion to player's dead father". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Wizards broadcaster makes shocking 'trigger' comment about Kevin Porter Jr.'s father, but was it a mix-up?". January 6, 2022. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ Blockus, Gary R. (June 2, 2018). "Previously Unheralded Kevin Porter Jr. Looks To Show He Belongs With USA Basketball". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  5. ↑ Cotterill, TJ (March 19, 2018). "Hothead? Bad attitude? No more. Kevin Porter Jr. found a father figure in Jamal Crawford to become state's best player". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  6. ↑ Evans, Jayda (March 3, 2018). "Brandon Roy gets second state title as Garfield works OT to beat Rainier Beach for 3A crown". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  7. ↑ Cotterill, TJ (February 26, 2018). "Mr. Basketball: Who do coaches say is the top high school basketball player in the state". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Kevin Porter". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Kevin Porter". Rivals. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Kevin Porter Jr". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ Goldberg, Rob (July 2, 2017). "4-Star SG Kevin Porter Jr. Announces Commitment to USC". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Nov 6, 2018 - Robert Morris 62, USC 83". RealGM. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ Kaufman, Joey (December 20, 2018). "USC's Kevin Porter Jr. still sidelined with thigh injury, but eyes a late December return". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  14. ↑ "USC vs. Oregon State - Box Score". ESPN. January 10, 2019. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  15. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (January 13, 2019). "USC freshman Kevin Porter Jr. suspended indefinitely, coach says". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  16. ↑ McCollough, J. Brady (January 14, 2019). "USC's Kevin Porter Jr. responds to his indefinite suspension from the team". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  17. 1 2 Uggetti, Paolo (June 19, 2019). "Kevin Porter Jr. Is Caught Between a Rough Past and the NBA's Future". The Ringer. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Detroit Pistons Acquire Tony Snell and Draft Rights to 30th Pick Kevin Porter Jr". NBA.com. June 21, 2019. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Cavs Acquire Draft Rights to Kevin Porter Jr". NBA.com. June 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Cavaliers Sign Garland, Windler and Porter Jr". NBA.com. July 3, 2019. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Magic, Vucevic beat Cavaliers in season opener". ESPN.com. October 23, 2019. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Cavaliers' Kevin Porter Jr. suspended". NBA. November 5, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  23. ↑ Fedor, Chris (November 19, 2019). "Kevin Porter Jr's 'dope' first NBA start shows how far he's come in short time: Fedor's five observations". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  24. ↑ Windhorst, Brian (December 18, 2020). "Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Porter Jr. sees charges dropped from November arrest". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  25. ↑ MacMahon, Tim; Wojnarowski, Adrian (January 22, 2021). "Cleveland Cavaliers trade Kevin Porter Jr. to Houston Rockets". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Cavaliers Trade Kevin Porter Jr. to Houston". NBA.com. January 22, 2021. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  27. ↑ @espn_macmahon (January 22, 2021). "This is a top-55 protected pick that is likely never to convey, per sources. The Rockets are taking a flyer on a ta..." (Tweet). Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ↑ "Porter Jr. Records First Triple-double Of G League Season In Vipers Big Win Over Bayhawks". NBA G League. February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  29. ↑ Taylor, Cody (March 6, 2021). "Rockets recall Porter, Martin from NBA G League assignment". Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  30. ↑ DuBose, Ben (March 12, 2021). "Kevin Porter Jr. has 'big brother' in former Rockets star James Harden". Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  31. ↑ Nba.com (April 28, 2021). "Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. fined $50K". NBA.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  32. ↑ @ESPNNBA (April 30, 2021). "20-year-old Kevin Porter Jr. is the youngest player in NBA history with 50 points and 10 assists in a game 🚀 🚀 🚀 L..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ↑ "Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. leaves arena at halftime after heated exchange with assistant coach". Yahoo Sports. January 2, 2022. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Houston Rockets suspend Kevin Porter, Christian Wood one game for poor behavior". ESPN. January 3, 2022. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Kevin Porter Jr. Signs Contract Extension". si.com. October 17, 2022. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Rockets Complete Trade With Oklahoma City". NBA.com. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  37. ↑ Almanza, Clemente [@CAlmanza1007] (October 18, 2023). "Thunder PR: Additionally, Oklahoma City acquired the contract of G Kevin Porter Jr. He will be waived immediately" (Tweet). Retrieved October 17, 2023 – via Twitter.
  38. 1 2 "Kevin Porter". NBADraft.net. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  39. 1 2 Joe.hulbert (June 4, 2019). "Assessing the Draft's Most Polarizing Prospect: Kevin Porter, Jr". Canis Hoopus. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  40. ↑ Vecenie, Sam. "Vecenie's NBA Draft Superlatives: 50 names and thoughts about what happened in the draft". The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  41. ↑ Wasserman, Jonathan. "Kevin Porter Jr.'s 2019 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Analysis of Cavaliers Pick". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Player profiles Kevin Porter Jr". NBA Scouting Report. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  43. ↑ Goldstone, Aaron (May 28, 2019). "2019 NBA Draft Profile: Kevin Porter Jr". Orlando Pinstriped Post. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  44. ↑ Woo, Jeremy (November 12, 2018). "NBA Draft Watch: USC's Kevin Porter Jr. Deserves Your Attention". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Kevin Porter Jr. has 'big brother' in former Rockets star James Harden". Rockets Wire. March 12, 2021. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  46. ↑ Associated Press (November 15, 2020). "Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Porter Jr. arrested on weapon charge". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  47. ↑ Feigan, Jonathan (October 17, 2023). "Rockets trade Kevin Porter Jr. to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  48. ↑ Dennis, Justin (December 17, 2020). "Mahoning grand jury passes on firearm indictment for Cavs' Kevin Porter Jr". Mahoning Matters. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  49. ↑ Margolin, Josh; Katersky, Aaron (September 11, 2023). "Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. arrested for domestic violence: Sources". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  50. ↑ Rieken, Kristie (October 2, 2023). "Kevin Porter barred from Houston Rockets after domestic violence arrest in New York". AP News. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
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