This is a recruitment that is controversial. This summer, the Clippers decided to offer a contract to Kevin Porter Jr.and given his non-sporting past, this choice raised questions. Indicted for violence against his former girlfriend, the former player Kysre Gondrezick, Kevin Porter Jr. had negotiated his sentence in a Manhattan court. Instead of prison, he had to follow a one-year program before being able to return to the NBA, and the former Rockets guard had relaunched himself in the Greek championship.
Clippers President Lawrence Frank reveals management has been studying the Kevin Porter Jr. track closely.
“We did it based on the recommendations (of an independent specialist), and as we learned after the fact, other teams offered him a contract after doing the same kind of evaluation. We thought he deserved that opportunity.” Lawrence Frank told The Athletic.
Relaunched, and pending a possible suspension from the NBA, Kevin Porter Jr. will continue to be supported and follow a program with the Los Angeles franchise.
“He is already following a personal development plan during the off-season, then based on the recommendations of our specialists, he will have another plan to follow” specifies the president of the franchise. “That being said…we felt that positive change is possible, and this is an opportunity for him.”
A second chance
After having revived Joshua Primo, fired by the Spurs for exhibitionism, the Clippers have become specialists in “second chances” for young players with problematic extra-sporting behavior.
“In no way do we minimize or tolerate domestic violence.”insists Lawrence Frank. “And we take these allegations very seriously. We're going to rely on people who are experts in the field to advise us, whether it's for Kevin or anyone else, who deserves a second chance.”
Obviously, the franchise knows that Kevin Porter Jr.'s behavior would now be under particular scrutiny.
“We will simply look at each case and each individual on a case-by-case basis. But we are very aware and respectful of the issues that these accusations raise,” concludes the club's sports boss. “As I said, that's why we invest a lot in ensuring that there is a personal development plan with a great sense of responsibility.”
