NBA fans hoping to ride the buzz of season openers were met Thursday morning with news that quickly spoiled the mood.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former All-Star Chauncey Billups, along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested as part of an FBI probe into illegal sports betting.
Advertisement
The two are reportedly among six individuals charged Thursday, accused of exploiting inside information to place unlawful wagers and turning professional basketball into a gambling operation.
MORE: NBA Legend puts Deandre Ayton on notice after Lakers’ ugly season opener
Rozier, 31, was previously investigated for irregular betting activity during his Charlotte Hornets tenure, particularly tied to a March 2023 game. The NBA found no violations at the time.
Advertisement
However, the inclusion of Chauncey Billups’ name adds a surprising and troubling dimension to the developing story. Billups, who played in the league from 1997 to 2014, just started his fifth season guiding the Trail Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested by the FBI for alleged illegal gambling, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel and officials from the Eastern District of New York are scheduled to hold a Thursday morning press conference. The briefing will address “numerous arrests in illegal sports betting and poker game schemes,” which reportedly involve two separate indictments.
Advertisement
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested early Thursday morning as part of an FBI sports betting gambling probe, sources tell ESPN. The Eastern District of New York and FBI director Kash Patel will hold a press conference at 10 am ET to announce arrests from investigation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2025
The investigation traces back to March 2023, when the NBA was alerted to suspicious betting patterns tied to Rozier’s performance in a matchup between Charlotte and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The league launched an internal review but determined there was no violation of its rules. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has since opened its own investigation, and the NBA is cooperating fully.
Dec 20, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) shoots the ball in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
During that March 23 contest, Rozier logged just 9 minutes and 36 seconds before leaving with a foot injury that ended his season. He finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Around the same time, a user on X claimed they’d been tipped off about Rozier’s early exit.
This comes less than two years after Jontay Porter was banned for life for tampering with prop bets and wagering on games. That scandal felt like an isolated incident at the time. Now it looks more like a warning sign the league didn’t fully heed.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—
WEDNESDAY ROUNDUP:NBA’s epic return, Jets owner has a way with words, and more
MLB:Can the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series?
FANTASY FOOTBALL:Studs and Duds For Week 8 of the NFL season
CFB: NCAA delivers landmark decision on sports betting for college athletes
NFL:Commanders handed worrisome update ahead of MNF matchup vs Chiefs
NBA:NBA commissioner Adam Silver suddenly backtracks on sports betting presence
VIRAL:Miss Indiana Sydney Shrewsbury honors Caitlin Clark at Miss USA with custom pageant fit