The Trail Blazers' coach Chauncey Billups and the Miami Heat's point guard Terry Rozier have been arrested by the FBI in an investigation into illegal sports betting, according to ESPN. Billups, former NBA star and current Hall of Fame member, has been named in connection with his alleged involvement in an illegal poker scheme linked to organized crime. Despite his success in the NBA, where he spent most of his career with the Detroit Pistons, his name is now linked to a scandal that could tarnish his reputation as a coach. The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI Director are expected to provide more details about the charges and the operation in the coming hours.
On the other hand, Terry Rozier, now with the Miami Heat after a stint with the Charlotte Hornets, was already investigated in March 2023 for unusual betting activity, although initially the NBA did not find any evidence of irregularities. Rozier was arrested at a hotel in Orlando, and authorities are still investigating possible connections to a prior case involving former player Jontay Porter. The Brooklyn DA's office had already charged Porter for strategically withdrawing from games, allowing others to profit from bets based on his performance. The Rozier incident, in which he left a game after just under ten minutes due to foot discomfort, reignited suspicions of illegal betting, as it caused a stir on social media due to its impact on performance expectations.
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