Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. arrested in New York City for assaulting former WNBA player girlfriend in a Manhattan hotel, as reported by authorities and sources.
Porter, 23, was taken into custody at the Millennium Hilton New York Hotel in Midtown at approximately 6:30 a.m. after police received a 911 call reporting an assault, according to the NYPD and police sources.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Porter’s girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick, 26, who previously played for the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, with a facial cut and neck pain, according to law enforcement and sources.
Allegedly, Porter physically attacked Gondrezick, striking her multiple times and choking her, police stated.
The incident occurred after the couple returned to the hotel following a night out on Sunday, sources revealed.
Gondrezick was asleep when she woke up to Porter assaulting her, sources said.
She was transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation and is currently in stable condition.
Porter, whose full name is Bryan Kevin Porter Jr., has been charged with assault and strangulation, according to the police.
An NBA spokesperson for the Houston Rockets stated, “We are aware of the reports regarding Kevin Porter Jr. The league office is in contact with the Houston Rockets and in the process of gathering more information.”
Porter, who signed a $63.4 million contract with the Rockets in 2022, was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
The former first round draft pick, whose arrest was first reported by WABC-TV, remained silent as he was escorted into the courthouse by two NYPD officers with his hands cuffed behind his back.
Porter and Gondrezick were photographed together on September 7 at Vogue’s Smart Tox kickoff event to celebrate the start of New York Fashion Week.
Porter, known for his history of outbursts, was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Houston Rockets in January 2021 after a confrontation and disruptive behavior, according to The Athletic.
Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman approached Porter, who remained combative during the incident.
Porter was subsequently instructed to clean out his new locker, and teammates were informed that he would no longer be part of the team, as reported by ESPN.
In November 2020, as a member of the Cavaliers, Porter was charged with improperly handling a firearm in a vehicle in Cleveland, OH. However, the case was dropped a month later.
During halftime of a game in January 2022, Porter had an altercation with then-Houston assistant coach John Lucas, resulting in Porter throwing an object and leaving the arena before the conclusion of the match, according to The Athletic.
Porter later apologized for the incident.
The Houston Rockets have not provided a comment regarding the matter.
Additional reporting by Kyle Schnitzer and David Propper
Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.