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NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr.’s alleged attack on his girlfriend in a New York City hotel room left the woman with a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above her right eye, prosecutors revealed at his arraignment Tuesday.
Porter, 23, pleaded not guilty to felony assault and strangulation charges in connection with the incident early Monday at the Millennium Hilton near the United Nations in Manhattan. Prosecutors said he didn’t stop until his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, ran out into the hallway covered in blood.
The NBA star, who had been in police custody since his arrest around 6:45 a.m. Monday, was released after posting bail, which was set at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond. He was also ordered to stay away from Gondrezick.
“This is a serious domestic violence case,” Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Mirah Curzer said in court.
According to Curzer, Porter has a history of abusing Gondrezick, including an incident in which he rammed his car into hers.
Kevin Porter Jr. faces “serious” domestic violence case after allegedly beating, choking girlfriend
Porter is due back in court in Manhattan on Oct. 16. The Rockets are scheduled to play a preseason game that day in San Antonio, with their regular season tipping off about two weeks later.
A message seeking comment was left with Porter’s lawyer.
In a statement Monday, the Rockets said: “We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr. We have no further comment at this time.”
According to a criminal complaint, girlfriend Gondrezick told police that Kevin Porter Jr. punched her repeatedly in the face with a closed fist, causing an inches-long gash above the right eye, bruising and substantial pain to her face.
Gondrezick, 26, said Porter also wrapped his hands around her neck and strangled her, causing her to have difficulty breathing, redness and bruising to her neck, and loss of motion to her left arm.
Hospital testing showed that Gondrezick sustained a fracture to one of the vertebrae in her neck, the criminal complaint said.
Dating leads to domestic violence charges
Kevin Porter Jr. and girlfriend Gondrezick started dating in February 2022, according to an anniversary message she posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
Gondrezick, the fourth pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, played one season for the Indiana Fever and is currently a free agent. She is also an actress and model.
A message was left with Gondrezick’s management company.
Porter has played four seasons in the NBA — a tenure marked by on-court prowess and off-court problems.
Last year, Porter averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, earning a lucrative four-year extension with Houston, where he had landed after wearing out his welcome in Cleveland.
In November 2020, while playing for the Cavaliers, Porter was arrested after police said they found a loaded handgun and marijuana in his car after a single-vehicle crash. Porter claimed he didn’t know the gun was there, and his charges were eventually dismissed.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s alleged assault of his girlfriend has sparked new conversations on social media about the serious yet hidden issue of domestic violence.