A federal U.S. judge has denied a request from the lawyers of banned NBA player Jontay Porter that he be allowed to continue his pro basketball career in Greece.

Porter’s lawyers had asked Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to allow the former Toronto Raptor to live in Patras, Greece, with his pregnant wife. Porter had hoped to play for Promitheas BC in the Greek Basketball League and Champions League.

In a letter to the Eastern District of New York, Porter’s attorney Jeff Jensen proposed that the player be allowed to live in team-approved housing with his wife under the close supervision of his mother, mother-in-law and his new team. Jensen claimed that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the United States Pretrial Services Officer were not opposed to Porter’s request.

Jensen’s letter added that Porter faced a “quickly diminishing” opportunity to earn income through his primary skill set and noted that as he left college early to join the NBA, he has limited alternative options for a career.

He added that Promitheas BC would be flexible in allowing Porter to travel back to New York for legal reasons and stressed that moving to Greece “would not interfere with his existing treatment plan, which is exclusively virtual.” Promitheas BC would also facilitate in-person counseling in Patras.

However, Hall denied the request to adjust the conditions of his pre-sentence release to allow him to regain possession of his U.S. passport or relocate.

Porter was banned for life by the NBA in April for gambling on his team’s games and manipulating his own performances to ensure player prop bets cashed in. He pleaded guilty last week in Brooklyn federal court to one charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Four other men, his alleged co-conspirators, also face federal charges in the U.S.

Porter was released on $250,000 USD ($342,000 CAD) bond. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18 and prosecutors have recommended between 41 and 51 months in prison.

Ontario police also investigating

After the NBA and FBI’s respective investigations of Porter, he also potentially faces criminal charges in Canada depending on the findings of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) conducted its own probe through the OPP’s embedded Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) and found there was justification for police to launch a criminal investigation of its own.

OPP Sgt. Robert Simpson told Canadian Gaming Business last month that the OPP is consulting with U.S. authorities as it conducts its own investigation.