NBA Scandal Unfolds: Rozier and Billups Arrested in Sports Betting Probe
SHOCKING BETTING SCANDAL ROCKS THE NBA: Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat Star Terry Rozier Among 31 Arrested in FBI Probe
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, the National Basketball Association (NBA) was left reeling just two days into its new season as veteran player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested in a massive FBI probe into illegal gambling. The news sent shockwaves throughout the sports world, leaving fans and players alike wondering what could have led to such a drastic measure.
According to sources close to the investigation, the pair, along with former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones, are among 31 individuals who were taken into custody as part of the FBI's sweeping operation. The arrests come just days after the start of the new season, and the news is sure to send ripples throughout the league.
Trail Blazers coach Billups, a highly respected figure in the basketball community, was arrested in connection with an alleged illegal poker operation tied to organized crime. ABC News reported that the 49-year-old coaching legend, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year, will appear in federal court in Oregon later today.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat star Rozier and former Cavaliers player and assistant coach Jones were charged in a separate but related case, which accuses them of turning professional basketball into a lucrative sports betting operation. The 31-year-old Rozier, who was detained at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, where the Heat lost to the Magic on Wednesday evening, has been linked to suspicious betting activity on his statistics ahead of a game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans last March.
Sportsbooks in multiple states flagged unusual betting patterns involving 30 wagers placed by a professional bettor within 46 minutes, totaling $13,759. The surge in interest reportedly came just before Rozier's departure from the game due to an injury that was later described as "a sore right foot." At the time, he had managed only five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a foul.
The news of Rozier's involvement has left many questioning how such a high-profile player could be involved in such a scandal. The NBA star, who is currently in the final season of his four-year, $96.3 million contract with the Hornets, has been accused of manipulating his performances to influence betting outcomes. This comes on the heels of a previous investigation into claims that Rozier manipulated his performances.
Jones, 49, a former 11-year NBA veteran and Cavaliers assistant coach from 2016 to 2018, is alleged to have provided inside information about NBA games to co-defendants who used it to place sports bets. His involvement in the scandal raises further questions about the ease with which players can exploit their positions for personal gain.
The NBA has been quick to respond to the allegations, releasing a statement assuring fans that it is working closely with sportsbooks to combat manipulation attempts by its players. "We've asked some of our partners to pull back some of the prop bets, especially when they're on two-way players, guys who don't have the same stake in the competition," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
The league has also stated that it will be cooperating fully with the FBI's investigation and is committed to maintaining a fair and clean game. As the news continues to unfold, fans are left wondering what other secrets may be hiding behind the scenes of their beloved sport.
This latest scandal follows closely on the heels of a previous betting scandal involving former NBA player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league in July 2024 for his role in a gambling scheme. The former Toronto Raptors forward pleaded guilty last year to allegations he plotted with gamblers to influence betting outcomes. His case is set to be sentenced in December.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the world of professional basketball will never look the same again. With the FBI's involvement and the NBA's commitment to transparency, it remains to be seen how this scandal will ultimately unfold.