Apr 7, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets
HOUSTON — Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested early Monday morning in New York City for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.
Domestic violence charges are pending against Porter Jr., who is being held at the NYPD’s 17th Precinct in Midtown.
Porter Jr. was reportedly returning from a night out to a hotel where he and Gondrezick were staying.
Gondrezick was upset at the time Porter Jr. was returning and locked the door; upon entering the room with help of hotel security, the Rockets guard allegedly “beat up” Gondrezick. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass in a statement released Monday that said the league is aware of reports and “gathering more information” about Porter Jr. Further details about the situation are under investigation.
Porter Jr. allegedly punched Kysre Gondrezick repeatedly in the face with a closed fist, cutting her above the right eye and causing bruising and substantial pain. Porter also forcefully squeezed her neck, leading to difficulty breathing, redness, and bruising according to a criminal complaint.
The 22-year-old has had previous run-ins with the law — in August 2020 he was accused of punching a woman and pulling her hair while in downtown Cleveland, with the woman alleging that during an argument with Porter’s sister, he ripped out her weave and punched her in the face. Porter was not charged for that incident.
Then in November 2020, Porter was arrested for being in possession of a loaded gun after getting into a single-car accident. He was later released after posting a $4,000 bond.
Porter Jr. was traded to the Rockets in 2021 after one season with the Cavaliers following a locker room outburst – after reportedly began yelling and throwing food, and remained “combative” despite Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman stepping in to calm him down.
Days later, he was traded to Houston.
