Ex-NBA Player Damon Jones Set to Plead Guilty in Gambling Scheme
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a sports gambling case involving over 30 arrests. The case includes charges of money laundering and wire fraud related to providing non-public injury information on players. A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court.
benzinga.comFormer NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is anticipated to plead guilty in a federal gambling case, becoming the first among more than 30 arrested individuals to do so. The arrests, which occurred in October 2025, involved reputed Mafia members and basketball figures. Jones, 49, faces charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
Jones was arrested alongside Basketball Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including a sports gambler who allegedly profited from injury information.
Background on Charges
The gambling scheme included providing non-public information about injuries to Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis.
Jones, who was once teammates with James, allegedly gave this information to gamblers. He remains free on bail. Jones is one of three individuals facing charges in both the sports gambling scheme and a separate poker scheme involving rigged games.
Story Timeline
3 events- Apr 16, 2026
Court filing reveals Damon Jones's change-of-plea hearing scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court.
3 sourcesDaily Caller · Al Jazeera · ESPN - Oct 2025
Damon Jones arrested along with Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and over 30 others in gambling scheme.
3 sourcesDaily Caller · Al Jazeera · ESPN - Prior to Apr 2026
Jones pleaded guilty to separate indictments for rigged poker games and sharing injury information.
2 sourcesDaily Caller
Potential Impact
- 01
Jones faces potential prison time from money laundering and wire fraud convictions.
- 02
Other arrested individuals like Billups and Rozier could face similar plea deals.
- 03
NBA may implement stricter insider information policies for players and coaches.
- 04
Mafia connections in sports gambling receive increased federal scrutiny.
- 05
Sports betting regulations tighten around professional leagues.
- 06
Public trust in NBA injury reporting diminishes among fans.
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