A bettor who received a signed jersey from Kristaps Porzingis as restitution for a missed layup has decided to sell the memorabilia.
The bettor, whose first name is Joe, had placed $100 on a four-leg parlay that could have won more than $76,000. Each of the previous three legs had hit.
All Joe needed was Porzingis to make the first basket when he played the Kings later that night.
On the Mavericks' first possession, with the score tied 0-0, Porzingis rolled off his defender and received a lob face up to the basket. He had an open lane.
The former All-Star took a quick step then laid the ball up without a dribble. The ball clanked off the backboard, rim then out.
Imagine betting Kristaps Porzingis first basket tonight 🤮 pic.twitter.com/SXZlYWS4Sw
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 30, 2021
Roughly a month later, the bettor received a jersey with an inscription from Porzingis that read, "Joe sorry about blowing the layup and costing you $76k!"
The signed memorabilia is being auctioned by a company called Grey Flannel Auctions based out of Scottsdale, Ariz. It's unclear as of Tuesday afternoon what the starting price will be or how the auction will be formatted.
Joe, a mailman from Pennsylvania who did not wish to identify his last name, said he would use the proceeds from the sale to open a recreational center and offer counseling services to "those in need."
"I want to turn a bad beat and a missed opportunity into something that can potentially help many people," Joe told The Action Network.
Porzingis has since been traded to the Washington Wizards. He has yet to suit up for his new team due to a knee injury he suffered before he was traded.
The big man has seen his play regress since making the All-Star team in 2018 — when his season ended due to a torn ACL.
He averaged 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks per game this season before being traded along with a second-round pick for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.
