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Chauncey Billups charged in connection with Mafia poker operation

Chauncey Billups was arrested on Thursday amid an FBI investigation into gambling, and the Portland Trail Blazers coach has been tied to a poker operation that involves the Mafia.

Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were [both arrested by FBI agents](https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/chauncey-billups-terry-rozier-arrested-fbi-gambling/723624) on Thursday. According to Aaron Katersky of ABC News, the charges against Billups stem from [an illegal poker operation that is tied to the Mafia](https://abcnews.go.com/US/miami-heat-terry-rozier-charged-nba-betting/story).

Billups coached the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in their season-opening game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which they lost 118-114.

A five-time NBA All-Star who played 17 years in the league, Billups was hired as the head coach of the Blazers in 2021. The team finished 36-46 last year and has not had a winning record nor reached the postseason under Billups.

Billups, 49, was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers for a brief period before he was became the head coach in Portland.

Billups played in the NBA from 1997-2014. He had his best years with the Detroit Pistons and led the team to an NBA title in 2004. Billups was named NBA Finals MVP.

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