• Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested Thursday in a sweeping FBI investigation linking NBA figures to organized crime and illegal gambling operations spanning multiple years.
• FBI Director Kash Patel announced more than 30 arrests across 11 states, describing the scheme as involving tens of millions of dollars in fraud and connections to four major Mafia families.
• Former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones was also arrested, with authorities alleging defendants exploited insider information to manipulate games and place unlawful wagers on professional basketball.

NEW YORK (TDR) — Federal authorities unveiled one of the most extensive gambling scandals in NBA history Thursday, arresting Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups as part of a multi-year investigation into illegal sports betting tied to organized crime. FBI Director Kash Patel described the operation as “a wide sweeping criminal enterprise” involving both professional basketball and La Cosa Nostra.

Inside the betting schemes

Rozier faces charges related to using insider information to manipulate game outcomes. Federal prosecutors allege the 31-year-old guard shared non-public details about player availability and injuries with betting rings. In one March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier allegedly faked an injury nine minutes into the contest, exiting early to benefit gamblers who had wagered nearly $14,000 on his performance falling short of expectations.

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U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said defendants exploited information about which players would sit out games or pull themselves early for purported injuries. The scheme mirrors tactics used by former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty to similar charges and received a lifetime NBA ban in 2024.

Billups linked to illegal poker operation

In a separate but related case, Billups was arrested in connection with an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia, according to ABC News. The Hall of Famer and 2004 NBA Finals MVP allegedly participated in high-stakes games in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas and the Hamptons. Authorities emphasized the charges are not related to games Billups coached for Portland.

Former Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also arrested Thursday in Las Vegas on charges of providing inside information about NBA games.

Mafia connections stun investigators

The fraud is mind-boggling. We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars.

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Patel revealed that four of the five major Italian-American crime families — the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese organizations — are implicated in the investigation. The scheme involved wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and robbery charges spanning multiple states and years. Approximately 31 individuals are in custody, with others expected to surrender.

What’s next for the accused

Rozier appeared in federal court in Orlando Thursday afternoon, while Billups faced arraignment in Portland. Both will eventually be arraigned in Brooklyn, where the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the cases. Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, said his client was previously told by investigators he had done nothing wrong after meeting with NBA and FBI officials in 2023.

The Heat had listed Rozier as available for Wednesday’s season opener against Orlando but held him out as a coach’s decision. Billups coached Portland’s season-opening loss to Minnesota just hours before his arrest.

Will this scandal force the NBA to implement stricter oversight of player conduct and gambling activities?

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