The NBA has been rocked by news of a massive FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and organized crime, leading to the arrests of Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. The two men were among dozens detained as part of the multi-year probe, which the FBI claims uncovered a scheme involving tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft across 11 states.
Rozier, who plays for the Miami Heat, is facing allegations of manipulating NBA games. Specifically, he is accused of faking injuries to influence betting markets. Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, allegedly participated in rigged poker games tied to New York crime families.
Both Rozier and Billups have publicly denied the charges brought against them. In response to the arrests, the NBA has placed both men on immediate leave as the league and federal authorities continue their investigations into the scope of the operation. The news marks one of the most significant federal probes into professional basketball in recent history, focusing on links between top-level sports figures and illegal gambling networks.
