Billups, Jones, Rozier Among 30 Members To Be Prosecuted Over NBA Gambling Bust - Report

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 17:01 IST

Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones are in Brooklyn court for hearings on an alleged illegal gambling operation.

Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and former NBA guard Damon Jones are among at least 30 individuals scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn this week for status hearings related to an alleged illegal gambling operation.

According to multiple reports, including The Athletic and ESPN, prosecutors are prepared to offer plea deals to 12 defendants. But, it remains unclear whether Billups or Jones will be among those receiving offers.

Billups, 49, has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He was placed on indefinite leave by the NBA following his arrest in October.

Prosecutors allege that Billups conspired with mob-affiliated organizers to rig illegal high-stakes poker games using sophisticated equipment to cheat players out of millions of dollars. In one instance in October 2020, he allegedly received a $50,000 wire transfer connected to the scheme.

A 17-year NBA veteran, Billups won an NBA championship and Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. He later coached the Portland Trail Blazers, compiling a 117-211 record over four seasons before his arrest.

The case also involves current NBA guard Terry Rozier, who has pleaded not guilty to similar charges tied to an alleged illegal sports betting scheme.

Rozier is accused of informing a co-defendant he would fake an injury and exit a March 2023 game early, information that was allegedly sold to a gambling ring.

More than $200,000 in prop bets were reportedly placed predicting he would underperform statistically. Rozier played only 10 minutes in that contest before leaving with what was described as a foot injury.

An arbitrator recently ruled that Rozier, currently with the Miami Heat, is entitled to receive his $26.6 million salary for the season after initially being placed on administrative leave.

(with agency inputs)

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