In the aftermath of felony assault and strangulation charges being filed against Houston Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. in New York, the national president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) issued a statement about the alleged incident between Porter and longtime girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick.
“The NBA and the Houston Rockets have a choice here — condone or condemn,” said Christian F. Nunes, a licensed mental health professional who works with domestic violence survivors.
“Does the NBA simply allow a trade and, in turn, permit this type of behavior? Or will the NBA stand against domestic violence and hold players accountable? Kysre Gondrezick was hospitalized with brutal injuries,” the statement reads. “This shouldn’t be a conversation about which team takes Kevin Porter. It should be about how he is no longer part of the league for a felony domestic violence arrest.”
Founded in 1966, NOW is a membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all social, political and economic aspects.
Citing access to the criminal complaint, news reports this week have suggested Porter punched Gondrezick in the face multiple times and put his hands around her neck, causing her to suffer a fractured vertebra. However, a statement from Gondrezick’s attorney has called some of that reporting into question.
Porter appeared before a Manhattan judge on Tuesday, when he entered a not-guilty plea. Next up is for Porter’s case is a court date set for Oct. 16, 2023, where his attendance is mandatory.
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