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Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups left a federal court in Oregon without answering questions Thursday after being arrested as part of an FBI gambling investigation.
Federal officials announced that Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in New York on November 24.
He was released under certain conditions. He was forced to surrender his passport and was prohibited from engaging in gambling-related activities and having any contact with any of the more than 30 co-defendants who were also charged, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player and assistant coach Damon Jones. You cannot travel outside of Oregon and Colorado.
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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to a vehicle after his federal court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
“The conditions are standard and common in accusations like this,” his attorney Chris Heywood told The Oregonian. “People shouldn’t draw any conclusions from this.”
Billups was seen leaving the courtroom wearing a brown hoodie and gray sweatpants. He was on the sidelines of the Trail Blazers game Wednesday night.
The NBA placed him on administrative leave.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the league said. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups will be immediately released from their teams and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
The Trail Blazers said Thiago Splitter would assume head coaching duties in the meantime.
“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups and the Trail Blazers are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the team said. “Billups has been placed on immediate leave and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the meantime. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows that he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not deceive or defraud others,” the statement read via ESPN. “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government accuses him of is to believe that he would risk his hall of fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He wouldn’t jeopardize those things for anything, much less a game of cards.
“Furthermore, Chauncey Billups has never and would never bet on basketball games, has not provided inside information or sacrificed the trust of his team and the League, as that would tarnish the game to which he has dedicated his entire life. Chauncey Billups has never backed down. He has no plans to do so now. He will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in the game. court”.
Billups and Jones were charged as part of an investigation into rigged poker games with alleged ties to the La Costa Nostra crime families.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to a vehicle after his federal court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
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Billups and Jones were allegedly dubbed “figures” who, according to the indictment, were “members of the entrapment crews and received a portion of the criminal proceeds in exchange for their participation in the scheme.” The scheme resulted in victims losing at least $7.15 million, as of April 2019, according to the Department of Justice.
“Billups and Jones, in particular…were used to lure victims to the games due to their status as former professional athletes,” the Justice Department said.
The Justice Department added that in April 2019, Billups was one of five defendants who “arranged and participated in rigged poker games” in Las Vegas “using a rigged shuffling machine” and the victims lost at least $50,000. One of the defendants sent a text message to another accomplice telling him that Billups should lose a hand on purpose to avoid suspicions of cheating.
During that game, a defendant said one of the victims had “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because Billups “star-struck” him, according to officials.
In October 2020, Billups allegedly received a $50,000 transfer following a rigged poker game. Before a game, Jones allegedly asked for a $10,000 retainer and said he “needed” action badly. They gave him $2,500.
In response to being taught how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol, call Djones because you know I know what I’m doing!” according to the Department of Justice.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups listens during a news conference, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Billups was a three-time All-Star and NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons.
