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After Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested Thursday, one of the most prominent figures in sports gaming said he suspects more arrests may be on the way.
Art Schlichter, the fourth overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft whose career was marred by a gambling addiction, predicted in a recent appearance with OutKick that “probably a lot of players” have been involved in sports gambling incidents, and Thursday’s charges could be “the start of something big.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Art Schlichter in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. (Tony Tomsic/USA Today Network)
“I think you’ll find that probably a lot of players have done this. More so in college because they don’t make the money that NBA players do,” Schlichter told OutKick host Dan Dakich.
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“When I see the smaller colleges, smaller universities that have players behind games for just a couple of hundred dollars, it just shows you how widespread it can become. Before it’s all over, I think it’s just going to blow up,
“I think a lot of players are shaking right now and worrying about this.”
Still, Schlichter was “confused” why Billups, or any professional, would find himself in this position.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, left, and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (Images)
“I just don’t get it. These guys are making millions and millions of dollars. I just don’t know why they would risk their careers like that to do that. I don’t know if they’ve been abused or not or if they think they’re better than the law or the NBA or whatever. It shocks me that they would take that risk. Especially the professional guys,” he said.
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Schlichter starred at Ohio State, where his gambling addiction began. Throughout his adult life, Schlichter has been in and out of legal trouble from gambling and drugs. He served 10 years in prison from 2011 to 2021 for gambling-related theft and public charges, admitting to stealing an estimated $1.5 million for gambling expenses and debts.
Billups, Rozier and Jones, the latter of whom is a defendant in both cases, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA announced that Billups and Rozier were placed on immediate leave from their teams, “and we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities.”
Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Spectrum Center on January 20, 2024 in Charlotte, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said.
