Shockwaves were sent through the NBA on Thursday morning.
It was announced Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested as part of an FBI sports betting gambling probe. This is a stunning report for obvious reasons, as Rozier was even available to play in the Heat’s season opener against the Orlando Magic but just simply wasn’t in the rotation due to a coach’s decision.
On top of this, one NBA head coach was also arrested for connection to a gambling scandal.
Which NBA Head Coach Was Arrested?
The Portland Trail Blazers are in the heart of their rebuild. The coach who has been with the Blazers for the vast majority of this rebuild is retired All-Star guard Chauncey Billups. Fast forward to Thursday, and NBC News’ Tom Winter released a jaw-dropping report.
Winter posted to X, “BREAKING | NBC News: Chauncey Billups, Head Coach of the Portland Trail Blazers has been arrested in connection with an investigation into illegal gambling — not related to games he coached — two senior law enforcement officials say. Reported with @jonathan4ny.”
ABC News reported, “Billups has been charged in an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia, law enforcement sources have told @ABC News.”
Billups’ arrest was allegedly linked to high-stakes poker games that prosecutors claim were rigged by the mafia, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the case. Billups, Rozier, and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones have all been taken into federal custody as part of the ongoing investigation into illegal sports gambling activities.
Billups is a Hall of Famer, five-time All-Star, NBA champion, and much more. This arrest has the potential to not only ruin his coaching career but also greatly harm his legacy as a player. It’s worth noting his coaching career has left much to be desired, as he’s yet to have a winning season in Portland.
Here’s how some fans reacted to the news:
@joshegbuna: “I just know Blazers fans are happy.”
@SleeperHawks: “Idk if this makes it better or worse. Still crazy.”
@BrandonReef: “Damn, now Chauncey involved…..[expletive] this list is going to be wild.”
Rozier and Jones being arrested is the other huge talking point on Thursday morning.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on the news, posting, “Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested early Thursday morning as part of an FBI sports betting gambling probe, sources tell ESPN.”
Jones, who spent 11 seasons in the NBA before transitioning to coaching, is accused of allegedly leaking confidential team information that was later used by bettors to gain an unfair advantage.
With the shocking nature of these arrests, fans are quite stunned.