The Houston Rockets player was charged with two felonies following a 911 call involving him and his girlfriend
Unfortunately, Monday brought us a new case of domestic violence involving a player. This time it happened in the NBA. Houston Rockets Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested with charges of assault and strangulation. That happened after an incident in a New York hotel. The victim is Kysre Gondrezick, a former WNBA player and Porter’s girlfriend.
According to a police spokesperson involved in the case, officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault at 6:45 a.m. and arrested the player. Gondrezick went to the hospital for evaluation, the source said. She had a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above her right eye. In addition, she had difficulty breathing, redness, and bruising around the neck, prosecutors revealed at his arraignment Tuesday. Punches and strangulation caused the injuries.
“Upon arrival, officers were informed that a 26-year-old female sustained a laceration to the right side of her face and was complaining about pain to her neck,” the spokesperson said. “A preliminary investigation on scene determined that a known individual struck her multiple times upon her body and placed his hands around the neck.”
“This is a serious domestic violence case,” Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Mirah Curzer said in court. According to Curzer, Porter has a history of abusing Gondrezick. For example, an incident in which he rammed his car into hers.
The NBA also acknowledged Porter’s arrest. Spokesman Mike Bass said a few words in a statement. “The league office is in contact with the Houston Rockets and in the process of gathering more information.”
Consequences
While the NBA is conducting its own investigation, the Rockets can’t administer any immediate punishment on Porter. This includes suspension.
Under the terms of the league’s domestic violence policy, Commissioner Adam Silver has the power to place Porter on administrative leave with pay for “a reasonable period of time.” Based on the findings of the case, the commissioner can fine, suspend, dismiss or disqualify from any further association with the league and its teams a player who violates the domestic violence policy.
