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Actress Madison Pettis appeared to take aim at her ex-boyfriend, Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr., claiming the couple broke up before his NBA debut because “he was a psycho.”
During a recent appearance at “In Your Dreams with Owen Thiele” podcast, the former Disney Channel star explained how she relaxes at home with a glass of wine while watching a basketball game.
Madison Pettis attends the REVOLVE Gallery NYFW presentation at Hudson Yards in New York, New York on September 8, 2022. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
“I’m really into sports… but I go home and watch a little basketball. It helps me relax a little.”
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Pettis was then asked if she would be open to being a “basketball wife,” prompting her to talk about her past relationship.
“My ex is now in the NBA. He wasn’t when we were dating, he was like in high school and college,” she began. “I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath.”
Pettis did not name Porter, but the two publicly dated from 2016-17 before Porter was drafted 14th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Actress Madison Pettis (L) and basketball player Michael Porter Jr. attends the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on April 29, 2017. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
“I think a lot of athletes don’t make good partners, but I won’t rule it out because I love what they do,” she continued. “So I would respect them and love to talk to them about, you know, their passion.”
NBA STAR MICHAEL PORTER JR SAYS RENT SHARE WITH EX-GIRLFRIEND DESPITE $200 MILLION CONTRACT EXTENSION
The comments about Porter come as no surprise. The Nets star has had several controversial moments over the years for remarks he’s made on podcasts about dating and relationships. In September, he said on “Respectfully The Justin Laboy Show” that he shared the rent with an ex-girlfriend to make sure she was with him “for the right purpose.”
“It’s very difficult when you have money, you know, to tell a woman’s intentions. … I had never bought expensive gifts for a girl before this last girl, and it was cool to do,” explained Porter, who agreed to a massive $200 million contract extension with the Nuggets in 2021. on the podcast.
“But I still wanted to know that she was with me for the right reasons. Every guy in this particular person’s past had money. So I never wanted to feel like a girl was just with me because of what I have and what I could give her.”
Michael Porter Jr. (17) of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on January 21, 2026. The Knicks won 120-66. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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He has also made controversial remarks about WNBA players and has also mentioned controversial figure Andrew Tate in other appearances, including showing women some of his clips to “play devil’s advocate.”
Porter said on NBA player Lonzo Ball’s show in November that his team even advised him to “steer clear” of specific topics.
