Federal prosecutors have accused Portland Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups of collaborating in a rigged high-stakes poker scheme that allegedly earned him $50,000, in response to courtroom paperwork obtained by TMZ Sports activities.
The filings declare that in October 2020, Billups and a bunch of conspirators cheated a rich participant through the use of tampered card shufflers, X-ray tables, and coordinated indicators throughout a poker recreation.
Investigators say Billups’ Corridor of Fame standing helped lure rich individuals and that he was wired $50,000 after the plan succeeded.
The paperwork additionally implicate former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones, who was allegedly recruited for related functions and as soon as requested a $10,000 advance for his function.
Prosecutors cited textual content messages from a September 2023 poker recreation exhibiting Jones speaking with others utilizing coded references to Steph Curry and LeBron James as a part of the scheme.
Each Billups and Jones had been arrested Thursday. The Path Blazers positioned Billups on speedy administrative go away, whereas Jones – not employed within the NBA since 2019 – additionally faces prices in a separate sports activities betting investigation.
Feds Say Chauncey Billups Acquired $50K For 1 Poker Recreation, Court docket Docs Additionally Reference NBA Stars | Click on to learn extra 👇 https://t.co/3pG9ye683S pic.twitter.com/MHxzl1Y84g
— TMZ Sports activities (@TMZ_Sports) October 23, 2025
