The NBA has some major problems on its hands Thursday, and a current head coach is reportedly right in the middle of them.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested Thursday morning in conjunction with an illegal gambling investigation, according to multiple reports.
ABC's Aaron Katersky reported that Billups, 49, has been charged for his alleged involvement in an illegal poker operation with ties to the Mafia. His arrest is unrelated to the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones, who were picked up in a separate FBI investigation involving sports betting.
According to ESPN, Rozier's case is tied in with the betting scandal that resulted in former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter receiving a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024.
Jones, meanwhile, is accused of providing inside info on NBA games to be used in sports wagers.
FBI director Kash Patel is expected to address the arrests and the related investigations in a press conference Thursday morning.
Katersky also says Billups is scheduled to make his initial court appearance later today.
Bad news for 'Mr. Big Shot'
This morning's reports have sent shockwaves through the sports world. Billups, who is in his fifth season coaching the Trail Blazers, is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2024 class and an NBA champion with the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, when he was named NBA Finals MVP.
A five-time All-Star in his playing days, Billups was on the sideline for Portland's season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. He is 117-212 overall as a head coach with the Blazers.
This story will likely take several more twists as the day unfolds, so stay tuned.
This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Oct 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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