Suspended Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups appeared in federal court in New York on Monday for arraignment on criminal charges related to illegal gambling. The Hall of Fame player has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, accusations linked to a rigged poker game allegedly connected to the Mafia. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison. A Brooklyn judge set Billups’ bail at $5 million, which he secured using his Colorado home, with his wife and daughter co-signing.
Billups is among 31 defendants charged in the case, which has also ensnared several NBA figures as part of an FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Recently, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones were also arrested on similar charges. Other defendants were scheduled to appear in court on Monday to discuss further proceedings.
The indictment alleges Billups recruited affluent individuals into fixed poker games featuring a rigged shuffling machine, an X-ray table to read facedown cards, and special contact lenses and glasses to detect marked cards. Additionally, Billups is suspected of sharing inside information with bettors, although he is not explicitly named in the sports betting indictment. A person referred to as “Co-conspirator 8,” who closely resembles Billups, appears in those charges.
Billups’ attorney has strongly denied the allegations, praising the coach as a “man of integrity” and expressing disbelief that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, reputation, and freedom over a card game or sports betting. The NBA has suspended Billups, with Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach.
Meanwhile, Damon Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges involving illegal gambling. He was released on $200,000 bail with conditions preventing him from gambling or contacting organized crime. Jones is accused of providing inside information to co-conspirators betting on NBA games and recruiting players into Mafia-run poker games, allegedly receiving a share of the poker proceeds.
In one instance, Jones reportedly sent a text message in February 2023 urging a big bet on a game before news about a player’s absence became public—coincidentally referring to LeBron James missing a Lakers-Bucks game.
Terry Rozier is set for arraignment on December 8th, facing charges related to a prearranged move during a March 2023 game in which he played only 10 minutes before leaving with a leg injury. This led to $200,000 in bets on his performance stats. Rozier faces wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Despite FBI and NBA inquiries during 2023, including a league investigation in early 2025, no disciplinary action was taken at that time.
Fan Take: This scandal strikes at the heart of basketball’s integrity, bringing to light serious allegations that could tarnish the sport’s reputation. For fans, it’s a sobering reminder of the importance of transparency and fairness in the game they love, and it may lead to stricter regulations and oversight in the NBA moving forward.
