Prosecutors Offering Plea Deals in NBA-Related Gambling Cases

Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones among those facing federal charges

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Prosecutors are offering plea deals to at least 12 of the 30 people facing federal charges in an NBA-related illegal gambling case. Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones are among those scheduled to appear in court this week for status hearings on the charges, which include wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing issues of illegal gambling and corruption within professional sports leagues. The alleged involvement of high-profile NBA figures like Billups and Rozier raises concerns about the integrity of the league and the potential for players and coaches to be compromised by criminal elements.

The details

According to reports, prosecutors are prepared to offer plea deals to 12 of the 30 defendants in the case. Billups, the former Portland Trail Blazers coach, and Jones, a 10-year NBA veteran, were both arrested in October 2022 and charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. Billups was accused of conspiring with the mafia to rig illegal poker games, while current NBA player Terry Rozier was charged for his alleged role in an illegal sports gambling scheme.

  • Billups and Jones are scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn this week for status hearings.
  • Billups was arrested in October 2022 and pleaded not guilty to the charges in November 2022.
  • Rozier pleaded not guilty in December 2022 and has requested his case be dismissed.

The players

Chauncey Billups

Basketball Hall of Famer and former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, who was arrested in October 2022 and charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy for allegedly conspiring with the mafia to rig illegal poker games.

Damon Jones

Former NBA player who played for 10 teams over an 11-year career and is scheduled to appear in federal court this week for a status hearing in the NBA-related gambling case.

Terry Rozier

Current NBA player who pleaded not guilty in December 2022 to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges for his alleged role in an illegal sports gambling scheme.

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What they’re saying

“We must root out corruption in professional sports and hold those involved accountable.”

— U.S. Attorney

What’s next

The judge will decide in the coming weeks whether to accept the plea deals offered by prosecutors to some of the defendants.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges of illegal gambling and corruption in professional sports leagues. The alleged involvement of high-profile NBA figures like Billups and Rozier raises serious concerns about the integrity of the league and the need for stronger measures to protect the game from criminal influences.