Former NBA Player and Coach Damon Jones Pleads Guilty to Selling Inside Information to Gamblers Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal charge of conspiring to sell insider information to gamblers. The 49-year-old, who played for 10 teams during an 11-year career, appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn and admitted guilt to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. His sentencing was scheduled for January 6, with the government recommending a prison term between 21 and 27 months. Jones was arrested last year as part of a wide-ranging investigation into sports betting and illegal poker involving NBA figures and organized crime. The probe included reputed mobsters and prominent basketball individuals, such as Chauncey Billups, the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a Hall of Fame member, and Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat. Prosecutors stated that Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information he obtained through his NBA connections. The case gained attention after Jones allegedly provided gamblers with details about a key event in a February 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. According to federal authorities, Jones shared information about a high-profile L.A. player’s injury, which would prevent them from playing. He reportedly texted an unnamed co-conspirator, instructing them to “get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.” The Lakers lost the game to the Bucks, 115-106, with LeBron James sidelined due to a sore left ankle and foot. The government’s case against Jones centered on his actions as part of a broader scheme involving illegal gambling activities.#milwaukee_bucks #los_angeles_lakers #damon_jones #chauncey_billups #terry_rozier
