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Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups left an Oregon federal courthouse without answering questions Thursday after he was arrested as part of an FBI gambling investigation.
Federal officials announced that Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit electronic money fraud and money laundering. He is to be arraigned in a federal courthouse in New York on November 24.
He was released from custody under certain conditions. He was forced to surrender his passport and was barred from gambling-related activity and from having contact with any of the more than 30 co-defendants who were also charged, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player and assistant coach Damon Jones. He is unable to travel outside of Oregon and Colorado.
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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to a vehicle after his federal court appearance Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
“The terms are standard and common in claims like this,” his attorney Chris Heywood told The Oregonian. “People should not draw any conclusions from this.”
Billups was seen leaving the courtroom wearing a brown hoodie and gray sweatpants. He was on the sidelines for the Trail Blazers’ game Wednesday night.
The NBA placed him on administrative leave.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal charges announced today,” the league said. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams and we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities. We take these allegations very seriously and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
The Trail Blazers said Thiago Splitter would take over head coaching duties in the interim.
“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups and the Trail Blazers are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the team said. “Billups has been placed on immediate leave and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not cheat and deceive others,” the statement read via ESPN. “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his hall-of-fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not put those things at risk for anything, let alone a game of cards.
“Furthermore, Chauncey Billups has never and would never play basketball games, give inside information, or sacrifice the trust of his team and the league as it would tarnish the game he has dedicated his entire life to. Chauncey Billups has never recused himself. He does not plan to do so now. He will fight these allegations the same day he has diligently fought for 28 years. The court.”
Billups and Jones were charged as part of an investigation into fraudulent poker games with alleged ties to the La Costa Nostra crime families.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups walks to a vehicle after his federal court appearance Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
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Billups and Jones were allegedly dubbed “face cards” who, according to the indictment, were “members of the fraud squads and received a portion of the criminal proceeds in exchange for their participation in the scheme.” The scheme resulted in victims losing at least $7.15 million dating back to April 2019, according to the Justice Department.
“Billups and Jones, in particular … were used to attract victims to the games because of their status as former professional athletes,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ added that in April 2019, Billups was one of five defendants who “organized and participated in rigged poker games” in Las Vegas “using a rigged mixing machine” in which victims lost at least $50,000. One of the defendants texted another co-conspirator that Billups should purposefully lose a hand to avoid suspicion of cheating.
During that game, a defendant said one of the victims had “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck” by Billups, according to officials.
In October 2020, Billups was reportedly netted $50,000 after a rich poker game. Before a game, Jones reportedly asked for a $10,000 advance and said he needed the act “badly.” He got $2,500.
In response to being coached on how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol man, you call Djones because you know I know what I’m doing!!” according to the DOJ.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups listens during a news conference Friday, June 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Billups was a three-time All-Star and an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons.
