Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, April 28, admitting he took part in a widespread illegal gambling probe in which inside information was shared about players' injuries, and also that he took part in rigged poker games.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire during the first of his plea of change hearings. According to sentencing guidelines, Jones is expected to receive a sentence of 21 to 27 months.
The 49-year-old Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, earning nearly $22 million in salary, remained free on bail after his arrest in October, and is the first of the 30 people to enter a plea in the case. Heoriginally pleaded not guiltyon Nov. 6 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.
"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said in a prepared statement during his court appearance.
According to prosecutors, Jones gave NBA lineup decisions and pre-released medical information to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips. The medical informationallegedly involved LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were playing for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time.
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In a developing story, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones all were arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, for their alleged role in an explosive gambling scandal that has rocked the NBA.
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Kawhi Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer are at the forefront of an investigation into whether the team allegedly helped facilitate a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.
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The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. on Feb. 20, 2025 for 25 games for testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, which is an opiate.
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The NBA gave Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter a lifetime ban in April 2024 for "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games."
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In the 2009-10 season, it was discovered Gilbert Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards locker room and had an alteracation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton involving firearms in the locker room. The NBA suspended both players indefinitely, and Arenas ended up serving a 50-game suspension.
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NBA’s biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
In a developing story,Portland Trail BlazerscoachChauncey Billups,Miami HeatguardTerry Rozierand former NBA player Damon Jones all were arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, for their alleged role inan explosive gambling scandalthat has rocked the NBA.
Before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, authorities say Jones texted a co-conspirator, alerting them to bet on the Bucks before the injury statuses of both teams were released. James ended up not playing in the game because of a lower-body injury, and Los Angeles went on to lose the game 115-105.
Jones and James were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, and he was an assistant with the team from 2016 to 2018.
Jones was also accused of using his notoriety toget people to poker games rigged by organized crime figuresin order to steal money from them, sometimes using technology, including poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and rigged shuffling machines with the ability to read the cards in the deck.
During one game, prosecutors said, Jones was paid $2,500 for his participation in a game in Hamptons, a swanky New York resort on Long Island.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Damon Jones, ex-NBA player, pleads guilty in federal gambling probe
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