Coban Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., was sentenced on Friday to six years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed a woman in Colorado last year.
The January 2023 crash in Denver resulted in the death of Kathy Limon Rothman and serious injuries to her passenger. Porter, who caused the crash by running a red light and colliding with the other vehicle, received an additional two-year sentence for the passenger’s injuries, which he will serve concurrently.
According to The Denver Post, prosecutors stated that Porter was speeding and had a blood alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
Michael Porter Jr. (Via NBA/Twitter)
In February, Porter pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as part of a plea agreement that capped his sentence at a maximum of eight years.
“All I can really say is that I’m sorry,” Porter told the courtroom on Friday, according to the Post. “I know that I’m never going to be able to right that wrong. … I never thought I’d be standing here. I thought I was invincible. It wasn’t the first time I chose to drink and drive. I’m so sorry.”
Michael Porter Jr. testified on his brother’s behalf during the hearing, stating, “I know that if I were in your shoes and it was reversed, I would have a lot of feelings as well.” Others also spoke on behalf of the Rothman family.
Before the crash, Coban Porter had been a freshman on the University of Denver men’s basketball team, averaging 11.4 points per game during the 2021-22 season.
Porter’s sentencing follows Wednesday’s announcement that the NBA had banned Jontay Porter, another of Michael Porter Jr.’s brothers, after an investigation revealed that the Toronto Raptors’ two-way player had violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.
Michael Porter Jr. (Via NBA/Twitter)
Michael Porter Jr. missed the Nuggets’ practice on Friday to attend his younger brother’s sentencing. His coaches and teammates are supporting him during this difficult time.
“It has not been easy for him,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “That’s why I give him credit because he’s carrying so much in his heart and on his mind. For him to go out there and do the job that he’s doing speaks to how much strength that young man has.”
Jamal Murray mentioned that Porter’s family issues aren’t a topic of conversation in the locker room.
“I don’t think we’ve spoken to him about it. That’s just not something we talk about,” Murray said. “We’re just keeping it professional here and we all support him. He’s handling it really well. Obviously, it’s not easy. But yeah, we’re just letting him deal with it.”
