Ex-NBA player Damon Jones pleads guilty in gambling probe

TL;DR

Damon Jones, a former NBA player, pleaded guilty to gambling charges related to a betting scandal involving insider information. He admitted to wire fraud conspiracy, marking the first conviction in this high-profile case.

Key points

Damon Jones pleaded guilty to gambling charges.
He provided insider information on player injuries.
Jones is the first of six defendants to plead guilty.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 2027.
The scandal involves a network of rigged poker games.

Mentioned in this story

Damon JonesLeBron James

Los Angeles LakersCleveland CavaliersMiami HeatMilwaukee Bucks

Prosecutors accused former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones of converting his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation departs the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York on April 28, 2026. Jones has pleaded guilty to gambling charges, US media reported Tuesday, the first conviction in a betting scandal that engulfed elite basketball. Jones, 49, was charged over his alleged role in a scheme that prosecutors say provided inside information on injuries and game absences to bettors between December 2022 and March 2024. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU) (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP) Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to gambling-related charges, marking the first conviction in a betting scandal that engulfed elite basketball. Jones, 49, admitted two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in two separate cases: one in which he provided insider information to bettors, and another that involved illegal rigged poker games. "As shown by his guilty pleas today, Damon Jones converted his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation," said US Attorney Joseph Nocella. The first case centered on Jones using information on injuries and game absences between December 2022 and March 2024 to profit from illegal betting activity. In one instance, he shared that star would not play due to injury in a game against the before that information was made public. He is the first of six defendants to plead guilty in that case, which includes guard . Federal prosecutors plan to bring further charges against Rozier, alleging that he "solicited and accepted a bribe," The New York Times reported. The second case involved a national network of mafia-linked rigged poker games. Prosecutors say around 30 people participated in the scheme, which used highly sophisticated cheating equipment including X-ray tables, and Jones used his fame to lure in victims. Jones initially denied the charges but switched his plea at two back-to-back hearings in New York on Tuesday. Sentencing is scheduled for January 2027. "I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," he said during the first hearing, according to US media. Jones had a modest playing career across 11 different teams, notably the from 2005 to 2008, where he played alongside four-time NBA champion James. He later became an assistant coach, working again for the Cavaliers from 2016 to 2018 during James's second stint in Ohio. Jones served as James's personal coach during the 2022–2023 season after the star joined the Lakers, without being employed by the team. bjt/msp

Q&A

What charges did Damon Jones plead guilty to?

Damon Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy related to providing insider information for illegal betting and involvement in rigged poker games.

What insider information did Damon Jones provide to bettors?

Jones provided information on player injuries and game absences, including details about LeBron James not playing in a Lakers game before it was publicly announced.

What is the significance of Damon Jones's guilty plea in the gambling scandal?

Jones's guilty plea is significant as it marks the first conviction in a broader betting scandal that has implicated multiple players and raised concerns about integrity in professional basketball.