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Basketball coaches

NBA Players Embroiled in Gambling Scandals Face 20-Year Prison Sentences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the NBA grapples with a series of high-profile gambling scandals, Portland Trail Blazers coach and former all-star Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player Damon Jones are facing charges that could land them in prison for up to 20 years. The three men, who have combined to earn over $170 million in their respective careers, stand accused of being involved in a multi-year scheme to rig poker games and supply insider information to sports bettors.

Billups, a 49-year-old Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer, is accused of luring wealthy individuals to rigged poker games in exchange for a share of the winnings. Rozier, 31, is accused of sharing confidential information with sports bettors, including the tip that he would take himself out of a game early due to an injury. Jones, 49, allegedly sold or attempted to sell inside information to bettors multiple times after his NBA playing career.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chauncey Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP and Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer, has been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering over his alleged role in aphony poker game scheme run by the Mafia.
  • Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, has been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly sharing insider information with sports bettors.
  • Damon Jones, a former NBA player and coach, has been charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly selling or attempting to sell inside information to bettors.
  • Each of the charges faced by Billups, Rozier, and Jones carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
  • Billups has been placed on immediate leave from the Portland Trail Blazers, while Rozier has also been placed on leave from the Miami Heat.
  • The scheme allegedly began during the 2022-2023 season and continued through the 2024-2025 season.
  • The indictment states that Jones "sold or attempted to sell" inside information to bettors multiple times following his NBA career.
  • Jones allegedly used his personal relationship with LeBron James and others to gather information and supply it to bettors.
  • Billups earned $106 million during his playing career, according to Spotrac.com.
  • Rozier played in 64 games for the Heat in the 2024-2025 season, averaging 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

Statistics:

  • Over $170 million in combined career earnings for Billups, Rozier, and Jones.
  • 20 years maximum prison sentence for each of the charges faced by Billups, Rozier, and Jones.
  • 49 years old: the age of Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones.
  • 31 years old: the age of Terry Rozier.
  • 2022-2023 season: the year when the scheme allegedly began.
  • 2024-2025 season: the year when the scheme allegedly continued.

Sources:

  • Spotrac.com
  • Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame
  • Indictment (date not provided)

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