The NBA season got off the a smashing start — and then it took a big turn.
Opening night delivered excitement and highlight-worthy moments on fans’ television screens and social media feeds, especially from the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and 76ers’ rookie V. J. Edgecombe.
However, the good feeling only lasted until Thursday morning, when Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and ex-Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were arrested and caught in the crossfire of a “historic” federal sports betting and gambling probe.
Below, The Post breaks down what awaits Billups, Rozier and Jones, who were among the 30-plus arrests made by the FBI as part of an extended investigation involving 11 states and millions of dollars that resulted in two indictments.
Who did what?
Rozier, 31, is accused of illegal sports betting by using insider NBA knowledge.
Specifically, the FBI pointed to a game on March 23, 2023, when he was playing for the Hornets and allegedly tipped off friends that he was going to leave the game early with an injury.
It led to people placing $200,000 wagers on the Unders for his prop bets. That night, Rozier exited after only 9 minutes and 34 seconds in a loss to the Pelicans.
He was previously under investigation by the NBA for the incident, but the league did not find any violation.
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Rozier suited up for the Heat’s season opener on Wednesday, but did not play before he was arrested at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Billups was charged in a separate scheme linked to a purported Mafia-backed underground poker ring that allegedly lured victims to be misled by the rigged games. The Hall of Famer was found in a photo from 2019 playing poker with two people he was charged alongside on Thursday.
Billups was arrested in Oregon less than 24 hours after the Blazers’ season-opening loss to the Timberwolves.
Like Rozier, Jones is tied to illegal betting on NBA games. He is one of three defendants charged in both cases.
What punishment has come of it so far?
Since Thursday morning’s arrests, the NBA has suspended Rozier and Billups from their respective teams as the league begins to unpack the indictments released.
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“We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities,” the NBA said in a statement. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
The FBI has arrested 31 people involved in a rigged poker game ring backed by the New York City organized crime families.
- Ernest Aiello — reputed Bonanno mobster
- Nelson “Spanish G” Alvarez
- Louis “Lou Ap” Apicella
- Ammar “Flapper Poker” Awawdeh
- Saul Becher — professional poker player
- Chauncey Billups — Portland Trail Blazers coach, NBA Hall of Famer and 2004 NBA champion
- Matthew “The Wrestler” Daddino
- Eric “Spooky” Earnest
- Lee Fama — professional poker player
- John Gallo
- Marco Garzon
- Thomas “Tommy Juice” Gelardo — reputed Lucchese mobster charged in 2013 for beating porn star girlfriend
- Jamie Gilet
- Tony “Black Tony” Goodson
- Kenny Han
- Shane “Sugar” Henne
- Osman “Albanian Bruce” Hoti
- Horatio Hu
- Zhen “Scruli” Hu
- Damon “Dee Jones” Jones — NBA player from 1998 to 2009
- Joseph Lanni
- John “John South” Mazzola
- Curtis Meeks
- Nicholas Minucci
- Michael Renzulli
- Anthony Ruggiero Jr.
- Anthony “Doc” Shnayderman
- Robert “Black Rob” Stroud
- Seth Trustman
- Sophia “Pookie” Wei
- Julius Ziliani
“The integrity of the game is paramount to NBA players but so is the presumption of innocence and both are hindered when player popularity is misused to gain attention,” The National Basketball Players’ Association also said in a statement. “We will ensure our members are protected and afforded their due process rights through this process.”
However, the defendants should expect the worst when it comes to their NBA futures and potential legal problems.
The Jontay Porter precedent
Over a year ago, the NBA and legal system made an example of the former Raptors power forward.
Porter pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy after he allegedly manipulated his participation in a game to influence an outcome of a bet, along with making other bets on the league.
In April 2024, Porter was banned for life from the NBA for violating the league’s gambling policy.
He was found to have placed at least 13 bets on NBA games from January through March 2024, none of which he played. However, he did bet a parlay that included a wager on the Raptors losing a game.
What’s next?
Billups and Rozier are expected in court on Thursday in Oregon and Florida, respectively.
