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Ex-Rocket Kevin Porter Jr. admits to beating Kylee Gondrezick in NYC hotel, will avoid jail
Former Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. admitted Tuesday to attacking his ex-girlfriend during a fight in their New York City hotel room — as he copped a plea deal that’ll help him avoi…
nypost.com
Ex-Rockets star Kevin Porter Jr. admits to beating WNBA ex-girlfriend in NYC hotel, will avoid jail under plea deal
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Published Jan. 23, 2024, 12:12 p.m. ET
Former Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. admitted Tuesday to attacking his ex-girlfriend during a fight in their New York City hotel room — as he copped a plea deal that’ll help him avoid jail time.
Porter, 23, ended his months-long holdout with Manhattan prosecutors when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and harassment charges — stemming from his melee with former WNBA player Kylee Gondrezick on Sept. 11, 2023.
The ex-NBA star, who was ditched by Rockets following the domestic violence allegations, must complete a 26-week counseling program and abide by a limited restraining order, Assistant District Attorney Mirah Curzer revealed during the Manhattan Criminal Court hearing.
If Porter successfully completes the program and stays out of trouble for a year, he can withdraw his plea to the assault charge and cop only to harassment, which is a violation, prosecutors said.
5 Former Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. leaves Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday morning. Steven Hirsch
The pro baller, who wore a black wool jacket and bright blue jeans, didn’t speak after leaving the courtroom.
His attorney, Phillip Jobe, said in a statement that Porter was looking forward to putting the incident behind him and moving forward.
“The resolution will allow Mr. Porter to put this incident, which involved false felony allegations and false facts, behind him with no criminal record and move forward,” Jobe said.
Prosecutors said after his arrest that Porter had allegedly repeatedly punched Gondrezick, 26, in the face and choked her until she couldn’t breathe in the attack at the four-star Millennium Hilton New York Hotel in Times Square.
Gondrezick allegedly fled the hotel room and was found bloodied and bruised by hotel staff, according to a criminal complaint.
5 Porter Jr. was traded by the Rockets in October after the allegation came to light. Getty Images
5 Porter Jr. was seen being walked in for his arraignment back in September. Gabriella Bass
Porter was hit with a slew of charges, including strangulation, punishable by up to seven years behind bars.
But prosecutors’ case lost steam when they dropped one of the assault raps against Porter — admitting that he didn’t break his then-girlfriend’s neck in the fight.
Speaking to The Post, Gondrezick said her injuries didn’t match up with what prosecutors were claiming, and blamed the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the police for fibbing about what happened.
“He didn’t hit me. He never balled his fists up and hit me,” Gondrezick said at the time. “And he definitely didn’t punch me in the face numerous times. That is a lie. I don’t have any injuries to support that.”
5 Kevin Porter Jr. and Kysre Gondrezick. Getty Images for Vogue
5 Porter Jr. pleaded guilty to assault and harassment charges in court Tuesday. Steven Hirsch
Porter’s rise in the NBA sank to rock bottom when the Rockets learned about the abuse allegations and dumped him off in a trade with the Thunder, who then immediately waived him.
Porter had signed a four-year, $82.5 million extension in 2022 and remains without a team.