Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were each arrested by the FBI in the same gambling probe on Thursday morning, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. The arrests were made hours after each made their season debut on the first night of NBA action, with Billups’ Trail Blazers losing to Minnesota, and Rozier’s Heat losing the Magic. Rozier was a healthy scratch in the game.
Billups’ arrest is related to illegal poker games tied to the mafia, according to ABC News. Rozier is accused of being part of a gambling ring that used “inside information” to make illegal wagers, according to ABC.
Rozier and Billups are just two of the names arrested, with more names expected to be released on Thursday morning. FBI director Kash Patel will hold a press conference later in the day. Rozier had been the subject of a federal investigation over suspicious gambling activity for a March 2023 game between his former team, the Charlotte Hornets, and the New Orleans Pelicans. NBA free agent Malik Beasley reportedly remains a potential target by the FBI even after he was cleared by the NBA after having amounted millions in debt. Here’s the press release from the Department of Justice.
Billups’ arrest is not related to any games he’s coached, according to reports.
Information is still trickling out. We will update this story as it develops.
