UPDATED 10/16, 4:55 p.m. ET: One of the charges against Kevin Porter Jr. in connection with the alleged assault of his girlfriend has been dropped due to "insufficient evidence."
As reported by the New York Post, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Mirah Curzer announced on Monday, October 16 that the second-degree assault charge against the 23-year-old Houston Rockets guard has been dropped.
The cited "insufficient evidence" is in relation to previous reports that Porter fractured Kysre Gondrezick's neck during an alleged incident on Sept. 11.
"What initially appeared to be a fractured vertebrae was not in fact an injury caused by the defendant," Curzed told judge Jay Weiner during a hearing in Manhattan. The fracture was a congenital defect.
Porter was previously offered a plea deal in the case to lower the charge to third-degree assault if he agreed to undergo counseling, which he rejected.
UPDATED 9/13, 3:55 p.m. ET: Kevin Porter Jr.'s girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick has released a statement via her representatives following reports he was arrested for assaulting her.
"Ms. Gondrezick wants to express her deep appreciation for the public’s support and prayers. In regards to our client, much that has been written in the press attributing statements to her are misleading and inaccurate," said her representative Robert Hantman in a statement provided to Baller Alert. "She has not granted nor released any statements on her own volition. She asks everyone to respect her privacy and avoid speculation as to what occurred and refrain from disclosing any misleading statements as to Mr. Porter."
Gondrezick's representative said she did not provide any verbal or written statements regarding the alleged physical altercation with Porter. She has also denied allegations that her relationship with the Rockets player is abusive.
Per a report from ESPN on Tuesday, Gondrezick allegedly sustained a fractured neck vertebra and a cut above her right eye, according to prosecutors at his arraignment. Prosecutors also alleged that Gondrezick ran out into the hallway of the Times Square hotel covered in blood following the altercation.
Porter has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and strangulation charges.He was released on Tuesday on $75,000 bail.
The Rockets and the NBA released statements on the incident on Tuesday and said an investigation into Porter is ongoing.
“We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr.,” the Rockets said. “We have no further comment at this time.”
See original post below.
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been arrested following an alleged physical altercation with his girlfriend, WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.
As reported by WABC, the 23-year-old NBA player was arrested on Monday, September 11 following an alleged assault on Gondrezick at the Millennium Hotel in Times Square. The couple were staying at the hotel and got into an argument after he returned to the hotel in the early hours of the morning. She apparently locked him out of the hotel room, but he was able to get access to the room after speaking with hotel security. When he got into the room, he allegedly assaulted Gondrezick.
Porter has been charged with second-degree assault and strangulation, per NBC New York. He is currently in custody at the NYPD's 17th precinct in Midtown. It is unclear to what extent his girlfriend was injured in the altercation. An investigation is ongoing.
Gondrezick played basketball in college for both Michigan and West Virginia. She was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2021 WNBA draft by Indiana Fever, although she was waived after just one season at the team. She is currently a free agent and sat out the two previous WNBA seasons.
Porter, meanwhile, was drafted 30th overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks following his time at the University of Southern California. He was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers via the Detroit Pistons. His last season with the Rockets was his career-best with averages of 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
