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Damon Jones expected to plead guilty in NBA gambling probe

by Dominick Mastrangelo - 04/16/26 2:50 PM ET

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by Dominick Mastrangelo - 04/16/26 2:50 PM ET

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Damon Jones, the former NBA player charged in connection with an illegal sports gambling ring, is expected to plead guilty to charges in New York.

Jones, who played in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the late 2000s, is expected to plead guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, the New York Times reported, citing court records.

Jones is one of more than two dozen people prosecutors say leaked insider injury information to benefit bettors and was part of an expansive organized crime ring involving rigged poker games and illegal sports bets.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were also arrested in connection with the conspiracy following a years-long investigation by federal authorities.

Jones is alleged to have shared injury information regarding specific players, the Times reported, including superstar LeBron James, which the outlet noted is not accused of any wrongdoing.

The scandal and others like it in recent months have sparked a sharp dip in fan confidence in the integrity of pro and college sporting events, and led to calls by some lawmakers for stricter rules on sports wagering.

The Senate Commerce Committee sent a letter last fall to the NBA about the scandal involving Jones, and some in Congress have called for commissioner Adam Silver to testify about the how the NBA monitors suspicious gambling activity.

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