Former NBA Player Damon Jones Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy in Gambling Scandal
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones has pleaded guilty to charges related to sports betting and rigged poker games, marking the first conviction in this basketball world gambling scandal.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 11:55
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NEW YORK (CNA) — Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty today to gambling-related charges, becoming the first person convicted in this professional basketball gambling scandal.
The 49-year-old Jones admitted to two counts of "wire fraud conspiracy" in two separate cases: one involving providing insider information to bettors, and another involving an illegally rigged poker operation.
U.S. Prosecutor Joseph Nocella stated, "As shown by his guilty plea today, Jones turned his celebrity and relationships within professional basketball into a multi-layered criminal gambling operation."
The first case involved Jones profiting from illegal betting by using player injury and absence information between December 2022 and March 2024.
In one instance, Jones revealed ahead of the public announcement that superstar LeBron James would miss a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks due to injury.
Jones is the first of six defendants to plead guilty in this case, which also involves Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors plan to file more charges against Rozier, alleging he "solicited and received bribes."
The second case involves a nationwide network of rigged poker games connected to the Mafia.
Prosecutors stated that about 30 people were involved, using high-tech cheating devices such as X-ray betting tables, while Jones used his fame to lure victims.
Jones initially denied all allegations but changed his plea to guilty during two consecutive hearings in New York today. Sentencing is expected in January 2027.
According to U.S. media, Jones said at the first hearing, "I want to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers, and the NBA."
Jones had a modest playing career, playing for 11 different teams, including a stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, where he was teammates with four-time NBA champion LeBron James.
After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers again from 2016 to 2018.
The 49-year-old Jones admitted to two counts of "wire fraud conspiracy" in two separate cases: one involving providing insider information to bettors, and another involving an illegally rigged poker operation.
U.S. Prosecutor Joseph Nocella stated, "As shown by his guilty plea today, Jones turned his celebrity and relationships within professional basketball into a multi-layered criminal gambling operation."
The first case involved Jones profiting from illegal betting by using player injury and absence information between December 2022 and March 2024.
In one instance, Jones revealed ahead of the public announcement that superstar LeBron James would miss a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks due to injury.
Jones is the first of six defendants to plead guilty in this case, which also involves Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors plan to file more charges against Rozier, alleging he "solicited and received bribes."
The second case involves a nationwide network of rigged poker games connected to the Mafia.
Prosecutors stated that about 30 people were involved, using high-tech cheating devices such as X-ray betting tables, while Jones used his fame to lure victims.
Jones initially denied all allegations but changed his plea to guilty during two consecutive hearings in New York today. Sentencing is expected in January 2027.
According to U.S. media, Jones said at the first hearing, "I want to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers, and the NBA."
Jones had a modest playing career, playing for 11 different teams, including a stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, where he was teammates with four-time NBA champion LeBron James.
After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers again from 2016 to 2018.