Basketball Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is in a lot of hot water. On Oct. 23, Billups was arrested in a federal gambling investigation.
The story is still fresh, meaning that Billups is innocent until proven guilty, but thus far, the evidence that has come out has not made the former NBA player look good. That being said, he received instant support from one of his former NBA teammates.
Which of Chauncey Billups’ Ex-Teammates Defended Him?
Following ESPN’s David Purdum’s report of Billups’ arrest, his former teammate, Sam Mitchell, came to the Hall of Famer’s defense during his appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“I love Chauncey Billups,” Mitchell said. “He’s like my nephew or little brother. He calls me uncle… I know his wife, his children. He’s as good a guy, teammate, man, friend that I’ve ever had. Until I see the evidence, until he’s convicted by a jury of his peers, one, I never turn my back on a friend, two, I hope and pray that this is not true, but I’m going to stand by my friend. I won’t believe it until I see it.”
“I’m going to stand by my friend. I won’t believe it until I see it.”@SamMitchellNBA on the situation involving Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups pic.twitter.com/TJfZOdMvW3
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 23, 2025
Billups and Mitchell were teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2000 to 2002. Mitchell retired from the NBA at that point just as Billups left for the Detroit Pistons, where he ascended into a multi-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion.
Mitchell has a point in that all the evidence needs to come out first before anyone rushes to judgment. As the FBI continues to investigate Billups, more information is sure to emerge in the coming days, weeks, and months.
Mitchell deserves props for sticking by Billups’ side on the matter, as the latter’s involvement in this scandal is quite shocking compared to Terry Rozier, who had been previously investigated for gambling before his own arrest Thursday.
Something Mitchell must keep in mind is that this isn’t the first time Billups’ name was mired in controversy. He was also sued for sexual assault back in 1997, a matter that resurfaced when the Trail Blazers hired him as head coach in 2021.
It also bears keeping in mind that the arresting agency was the FBI. When a federal entity arrests a prominent figure like Billups, it’d be pretty easy to assume they’ve got the evidence they need to put him in handcuffs.
Billups is sure to have a fantastic defense team, but for the moment, it’s not looking good for him.
