NBA legend and Portland head coach Chauncey Billups arrested in gambling probe, sources say
FBI Director Kash Patel and other law enforcement officials were expected to provide more information at a news conference later on Thursday.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, law enforcement sources said on Thursday.The charges Rozier and Billups face are not yet known.The NBA had no immediate comment. The league has investigated Rozier previously and is still looking into the actions of former Detroit player Malik Beasley, a source who spoke under the condition of anonymity told AP.Rozier was in uniform as the Heat played the Magic in Florida, in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday evening, though he did not play in the game.He was taken into custody in Orlando early Thursday morning. The team did not immediately comment on the arrest.A message was left with Rozier's lawyer Jim Trusty on Thursday. Trusty previously disclosed to sports network ESPN that Rozier was told that an initial investigation determined he did nothing wrong after he met with NBA and FBI officials in 2023.A message seeking comment was left with Billups on Thursday morning.FBI Director Kash Patel and other law enforcement officials were expected to provide more information at a news conference later on Thursday.The case was brought by the US attorney's office in Brooklyn, which previously prosecuted ex-NBA player Jontay Porter.The former Toronto Raptors centre pleaded guilty to charges that he withdrew early from games, claiming illness or injury, so that those in the know could win big by betting on him to underperform expectations.Billups was inducted into the US Basketball Hall of Fame last year. The five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA point guard led the Detroit Pistons to their third league title in 2004 as NBA Finals MVP.Boston drafted the former Colorado star with the number three pick overall in 1997. Known as Mr Big Shot, Billups also played for Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers.Billups won the Joe Dumars Trophy, the NBA's sportsmanship award, in 2009 while playing for his hometown Denver Nuggets.