NBA Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, have been arrested as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into illegal gambling activities tied to organized crime. The arrests, which took place on Thursday, add to the ongoing narrative of professional sports intersecting with illicit operations.
Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star and champion with the Detroit Pistons during his 17-year playing career, was taken into custody for activities related to illegal poker games. Despite the arrest, Billups was present on the sidelines, coaching the Trail Blazers during their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rozier was arrested and was notably absent from the Heat’s game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Neither the Portland Trail Blazers nor the Miami Heat have issued official statements.
Here’s the FBI press conference with Director Kash Patel:
