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Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups denied any wrongdoing in a statement from his lawyer after he was among more than 30 people arrested Thursday in connection with FBI investigation into an alleged gambling ring with suspected ties to New York crime families.
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows that he is an honest man; honest people do not deceive or deceive others,” attorney Chris Haywood said in a statement.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to his car after his appearance in federal court 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 have risked his Hall of Fame heritage, his reputation and his freedom. There's no way he would jeopardize these things, let alone a card game.”
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Haywood said Billups “will never, ever play basketball, provide inside information or sacrifice the trust of his team and the League as it would tarnish the game to which he has dedicated his entire life.”
Billups and his legal team intend to “fight these charges with the same tenacity that has marked his 28-year career,” according to the statement.
Billups, Miami Heat Defenseman 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 “face cards,” were allegedly used as celebrities to attract competitors to allegedly rigged poker games.
FBI Director Kash Patel (right) leads a news conference announcing arrests related to illegal sports betting and poker schemes in New York City on October 23, 2025. NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday on suspicion of engaging in illegal gambling. Billups, a former Detroit Pistons star and NBA Hall of Famer, was arrested in connection with rigging illegal poker games linked to the Mafia, FBI Director Cash Patel said. Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones were arrested in connection with the sports betting case, Patel said at a news conference in New York. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
The Justice Department said in April 2019 that Billups was one of five defendants who “organized and participated in rigged poker games” in Vegas “using a rigged shuffling machine” causing victims to lose at least $50,000. One of the defendants wrote to another co-conspirator that Billups should deliberately lose his arm to avoid suspicion of fraud.
During that game, the defendant said, one of the victims “acted as if he wanted Chauncey to get his money” because Billups “starred” him, according to officials.
Officials said everyone except the victims involved in the rigged games knew about the scheme.
Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was immediately placed on leave by the team following his arrest Thursday.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse following his arrest hearing on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, United States, October 23, 2025. (John Rudoff/Reuters)
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“We are aware of the allegations against head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation,” the team said. “Billups has been placed on leave with immediate effect and Thiago Splitter will take over as head coach on an interim basis. Any additional questions should be directed to the NBA.”
Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He will be arraigned in New York federal court on November 24.
Fox News Digital's Ryan Gaydos and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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