Former NBA Player Damon Jones Expected to Plead Guilty in Gambling Sweep

Jones charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies related to rigged poker games and leaking player injury information to bettors

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a stack of cash and gambling chips against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually illustrates the corruption and illegal gambling at the heart of this story.A gambling sweep involving former NBA players and organized crime reveals the dark underbelly of corruption in professional sports.Brooklyn Today

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures. A change-of-plea hearing for Jones is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, where he faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing problem of corruption and organized crime infiltrating professional sports, with allegations that Jones and others used insider information and rigged games to profit from illegal gambling operations tied to New York crime families.

The details

Jones is charged in two separate indictments - one for profiting from rigged poker games, and another for providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to NBA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Prosecutors allege Jones was paid to cheat in poker games and to tip off bettors about player injuries, allowing them to place bets that exploited that inside information.

  • Jones' change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026 in Brooklyn federal court.
  • Jones was originally arrested in October 2025 along with other basketball figures including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
  • Prosecutors say Jones texted a co-conspirator on February 9, 2023 about LeBron James' injury, telling them to 'Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.'

The players

Damon Jones

A 49-year-old former NBA player and assistant coach who is expected to plead guilty in the gambling sweep case.

LeBron James

The NBA's all-time scoring leader, whose injury information Jones allegedly leaked to bettors.

Anthony Davis

The Lakers' forward and center at the time, whose injury information Jones allegedly leaked to bettors.

Marves Fairley

A sports bettor who prosecutors say paid Jones $2,500 for a tip that Davis would have limited playing time due to an injury.

Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families

New York crime families that prosecutors say helped run the illegal poker games and required a share of the proceeds.

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What they’re saying

“y'all know I know what I'm doing!!”

— Damon Jones

What’s next

Jones' change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026 in Brooklyn federal court, where he is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in the gambling sweep case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of corruption and organized crime infiltrating professional sports, with allegations that former NBA players like Damon Jones exploited insider information and rigged games to profit from illegal gambling operations tied to New York crime families.