Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been named by the FBI in two separate indictments. Both have been arrested and put on immediate leave by the NBA. (AP) Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday along with over 30 others in New York for their alleged involvement in two separate criminal schemes. The cases involve rigging sports bets and poker games connected to Mafia families, with prosecutors alleging millions in fraudulent gains through sophisticated cheating methods and exploitation of insider NBA information.FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the scale of the fraud. “The fraud is mind boggling. We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation. This is the insider-trading saga for the NBA.”Joseph Nocella, the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York, emphasized the significance of the case. “My message to the defendants who’ve been rounded up today is this: Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out.”Who have been arrested and what are the charges?
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
The indictments, unsealed in New York, detail two distinct criminal operations that have cast a shadow over the NBA as its season begins. Billups is accused of participating in fixing high-stakes card games across multiple cities, while Rozier faces charges related to manipulating sports bets using insider information about NBA players.Both Billups and Rozier are facing money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones is also implicated in both schemes.The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on leave and issued a statement confirming their cooperation with authorities. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
FILE – Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) looks up court during the last seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)
Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, defended his client, stating that Rozier is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.” Trusty criticised the FBI’s arrest approach, saying they opted for a “photo op” instead of allowing self-surrender.One specific instance cited involved Rozier, while with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, allegedly informing others of his plan to leave a game early with an injury. This information allowed gamblers to profit significantly from wagers.Despite the scale of the alleged fraud, both athletes had earned substantial legitimate income during their careers. Billups accumulated approximately $106 million over his 17-year career, while Rozier earned about $160 million playing for Boston, Miami, and Charlotte.What is the poker scheme? Which crime families are involved?
This image shows a card shuffler allegedly used by defendants in a sports betting and illegal gambling case brought by the US attorney’s office of the Eastern District of New York. (U.S. Attorney’s Office vis AP)
The poker scheme allegedly defrauded gamblers of at least $7 million by luring them into games with former professional basketball players. The operation utilised sophisticated cheating technology, including altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and X-ray equipment built into tables.The scheme involved illegal poker games run by New York crime families, with proceeds shared among the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonnano crime families. These organisations allegedly assisted with violent acts to ensure debt repayment and continued operations.Prosecutors are seeking detention for involved Mafia members and ringleaders of the poker scheme. They recommend releasing Billups and Jones with strict bail conditions, including gambling prohibition and travel restrictions.Is this the first such controversy in NBA?
FILE – Milwaukee Bucks’ Damon Jones looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
No. The allegations against Rozier and Billups potentially represent the NBAâ€s most serious blow to its reputation since 2007, when referee Tim Donaghy was found to have bet on games. The timing is also significant, coming during the seasonâ€s opening week and as the league launches new broadcast deals totalling $76 billion over 11 years.The NBA said they will continue to cooperate with authorities.“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and maintaining the integrity of our game is our top priority,†the league said.What is the LeBron James connection?
LeBron James and Damon Jones (Image via Getty)
Ex player Damon Jones, who went on to become an assistant coach, has been accused of exploiting his relationship to “a prominent NBA player†to obtain inside information, which he allegedly sold to professional bettors. Many speculate that the so-called prominent player could be LeBron James, the NBAâ€s all-time leading scorer, but he has not been named in the indictment.
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