Ex-NBA player Damon Jones to be first to plead guilty in US gambling case

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to plead guilty on April 28 in a Brooklyn federal court, becoming the first person to do so in a widespread US gambling case involving over 30 individuals. Jones was arrested in October 2025 along with other basketball figures on charges including wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. He is accused of profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with inside information about injuries to NBA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones allegedly attempted to sell information about James's injury status for a 2023 game. He remains free on bail.

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to plead guilty in Brooklyn federal court on May 6, becoming the first person to do so in a large gambling sweep. Jones was arrested in October 2025 along with other basketball figures, including Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier, and is charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The charges stem from two separate indictments accusing him of profiting from rigged poker games and providing non-public injury information about LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors. Jones, who played in the NBA for 11 seasons and later served as an unofficial assistant coach for the Lakers, remains free on bail. The gambling sweep led to the arrests of over 30 people, including reputed mobsters.