Chauncey Billups, former NBA star and current coach, has been arrested in connection with an illegal poker operation allegedly linked to organized crime. The arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling activities that includes other prominent NBA figures. Terry Rozier, their 31-year-old star, who has a small hamstring concern. On top of this, he was recently arrested in a different but related case.
Billups, the head coach of his new team, was sitting on the bench for their impressive season opener. Sadly, they followed that statement victory with a terrible loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His arrest shocked and confused many. This is particularly the case given the grave accusations connecting him to Mafia-controlled gambling rackets.
In July, Gilbert Arenas, another former NBA player, pleaded guilty to similar charges. Arenas was charged with running illegal high-stakes poker games out of a mansion in Encino, California. Authorities claim he rented out the house solely so he could host high-stakes gambling events there from September 2021 through July 2022. He’s been indicted on conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling enterprise. Moreover, he is charged with providing or directing much of the day-to-day operation of the enterprise itself and lying to federal investigators.
It’s hard to say what that connection between Billups and Arenas is. Rozier’s arrest is part of a broader probe into gambling habits among NBA players. Rozier has built on that breakout, as the 16th overall pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2015 draft turned into a prolific career. Throughout his 11 years in the league, he has averaged 13.9 points per game while playing for three different teams. But injury has unfortunately limited his impact on the success of his team this year.
Michael Porter Jr. is facing grave allegations in a similar case. He was accused of betting on matchups that directly affected his own performance on the court. If proven, this allegation would provide yet another troubling chapter in the already blistering criticism of gambling in professional basketball.
Rozier was sidelined for his team’s first contest, a match-up with the Miami Heat, due to his returning hamstring injury. This defeat compounds the problems faced by his new wave of litigations. High-profile players such as Billups and Rozier are at the center of these investigations. Their involvement is significant in underscoring the growing concern regarding illicit gambling activities in the NBA.
