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Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, through a statement from his attorney, denied any wrongdoing after being among more than 30 people arrested Thursday in connection with an FBI investigation into an alleged gambling ring with alleged ties to New York crime families.
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows that he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not deceive or defraud others,” read a statement from attorney Chris Heywood.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to a vehicle after his federal court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (Jenny Kane/AP)
“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.”
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Heywood stated that 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.”
According to the statement, Billups and his legal team intend to “fight these accusations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career.”
Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player and assistant coach Damon Jones were charged as part of an investigation into rigged poker games with alleged ties to La Cosa Nostra crime families. Billups and Jones, nicknamed the “Face Cards,” were allegedly used as celebrity figures to attract competitors for supposedly rigged poker games.
FBI Director Kash Patel (R) leads a news conference to announce arrests linked to illegal sports betting and poker gambling schemes in New York City on Oct. 23, 2025. NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday for alleged involvement in illegal gambling. Billups, a former Detroit Pistons star and NBA Hall of Famer, was arrested in connection with rigged illegal poker games linked to the mob, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones were arrested in a sports betting case, Patel said at a news conference in New York. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Justice Department said 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 “surprised” him, according to officials.
Officials said everyone except the victims involved in the rigged games were aware of the scheme.
Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was placed on immediate leave by the team following Thursday’s arrest.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Court following a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, U.S., on Oct. 23, 2025. (John Rudoff/Reuters)
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“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.”
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.
