Arrest of Damon Jones
Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, faced the court in Brooklyn on Thursday for arraignment following his arrest by the FBI over connections to an illegal gambling operation. His arrest is part of a broader crackdown that saw more than 30 individuals detained in October under separate indictments related to gambling offenses.
Connections to the NBA
As he arrived at the courthouse, the 49-year-old did not respond to media inquiries. Jones is one of three individuals tied directly to the NBA who have been implicated in this investigation. Notably, both Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were also arrested in relation to the FBI’s probe.
Charges Against Billups and Rozier
Billups is facing charges of participating in a rigged poker game with alleged Mafia connections, where his role was to lend credibility to the game and attract affluent players. Those with celebrity status like Billups, who were instrumental in drawing in players, were colloquially known as “face cards” within the conspiracy.
Rozier, on the other hand, has been accused of supplying insiders with information aimed at benefiting gamblers.
Damon Jones’ Involvement
Jones is mentioned in both indictments, revealing that like Billups, he acted as a “face card” at rigged gambling events. It has also been reported that he utilized his connections within the NBA to relay insider information to bettors—potentially including sensitive details about LeBron James’ injury status ahead of a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023. Notably, Jones and LeBron were teammates for three seasons during Jones’ career with the Cavaliers, which spanned 11 years and included stints with nine other teams.
NBA’s Response
In light of the serious allegations, the NBA took immediate actions following the arrests of Billups and Rozier, placing both on leave. However, since Jones is no longer a player or coach in the league, he has not faced any current disciplinary measures from the NBA. The story is still developing, and further updates are expected to follow.
