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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kevin Porter Jr. said he is “grateful to be back” in the NBA with the LA Clippers after not being in the NBA since his arrest in September of 2023.
Porter Jr. said on Monday that he is “accountable for whatever comes” should the NBA suspend the point guard for this coming season. Porter Jr. reached a plea deal in a New York City domestic assault case that involved misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend last September.
“I’m accountable for whatever comes,” said Porter Jr., who talked to reporters for the first time this year. “The league is going to do what the league does and I’m ready for it.”
Porter Jr., who signed a two-year deal with the Clippers, said he has been undergoing counseling and therapy. Under the plea agreement, Porter has to complete a 26-week Abusive Partner Intervention Program or a program with a private counselor while abiding by other conditions according to the Associated Press. However, Porter Jr. says he has been undergoing counseling prior to his arrest.
“I got to learn myself, experience some things,” Porter Jr. said. “And I feel like this is the best version of myself, so it’s been good.
“I can’t say everything,” Porter Jr. added when asked what he has learned about himself. “But just my upbringing, the triggers and things and with experiences. The meaning of the experience and learning from it.”
Porter Jr., who played in Greece last season, averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds during the 2022-23 season in Houston. He could have a role in the rotation for the Clippers this season.
“I always believed in myself,” Porter Jr. said. “I know my truth and I felt like it was a good so definitely didn’t count myself out.
“This is the, if not number one, top two best jobs you can ask for as an athlete, as a person. So I’ve seen that get taken away and then it just puts you in a place with what you want to do for the rest of your life. So I’m very grateful to be back and I’m going to do everything I can and stay as long as I want.”