Actress Madison Pettis discussed a past relationship with a player now in the NBA during a recent appearance on the "In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele" podcast. The 25-year-old American actress, known for roles on Disney Channel series such as "Cory in the House," said she dated the individual during his high school and college years and ended the relationship before his league debut because "he was a psychopath."[1][2]

Pettis did not name the player, but she publicly dated Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. from 2016 to 2017. The pair attended events together, including the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards.[1][3] Porter Jr., a 6-foot-10 small forward/power forward born in 1999, was selected 14th overall by the Nuggets in the 2018 NBA Draft.[4][5]

When asked if she would consider dating a professional basketball player, or becoming a "basketball wife," Pettis responded that while she enjoys sports and respects athletes' passion, "a lot of athletes are not great partners."[1][2] She added that she would not rule it out.

Porter Jr. signed a five-year, $172.5 million rookie maximum contract extension with the Nuggets in October 2021.[4][5] In September 2024, he appeared on the "Respectfully Justin Laboy" podcast and described splitting rent with an ex-girlfriend despite his wealth to verify her intentions, noting challenges in discerning motives when "you have money."[1][6]

Porter Jr. has faced scrutiny for other comments on relationships and has referenced figures like Andrew Tate in past podcast appearances. In November 2023, he said on Lonzo Ball's podcast that his team advised him to avoid certain topics.[1]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital; "Madison Pettis shades NBA ex-boyfriend: 'I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath'"; October 14, 2024; https://www.foxnews.com/sports/madison-pettis-nba-ex-boyfriend-psychopath-podcast
2. Daily Mail; "Madison Pettis claims she dumped NBA star ex-boyfriend before he entered the league because 'he was a psychopath'"; October 14, 2024; https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13969677/Madison-Pettis-NBA-star-ex-boyfriend-psychopath.html
3. NBA.com; "Michael Porter Jr. Nuggets Profile"; Accessed October 2024; https://www.nba.com/player/1629614/michael-porter-jr
4. Basketball-Reference.com; "Michael Porter Jr. Stats"; Accessed October 2024; https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porteju01.html
5. ESPN; "Michael Porter Jr. agrees to 5-year, $172.5M extension with Nuggets"; October 18, 2021; https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32247002/michael-porter-jr-agrees-5-year-1725m-extension-nuggets