Former NBA player Damon Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a federal gambling investigation, admitting to sharing insider information and participating in rigged poker games. He faces a sentence of 21 to 27 months.
Key points
Damon Jones pleaded guilty in a federal court
He admitted to sharing insider information about players' injuries
Jones participated in rigged poker games
He faces a potential sentence of 21 to 27 months
He is the first of 30 people to enter a plea in the case
Mentioned in this story
Damon JonesNBA
Former NBA player Damon Jones pleads guilty in federal gambling probe
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, April 28, admitting he took part in a widespread illegal gambling probe in which inside information was shared about players' injuries, and also that he took part in rigged poker games.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire during the first of his plea of change hearings. According to sentencing guidelines, Jones is expected to receive a sentence of 21 to 27 months.
The 49-year-old Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, earning nearly $22 million in salary, remained free on bail after his arrest in October, and is the first of the 30 people to enter a plea in the case. He originally pleaded not guilty on Nov. 6 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.
"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said in a prepared statement during his court appearance.
According to prosecutors, Jones gave NBA lineup decisions and pre-released medical information to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips. The medical information allegedly involved LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were playing for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time.
In a developing story, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, guard and former NBA player Damon Jones all were arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, for their alleged role in that has rocked the NBA.
Q&A
What charges did Damon Jones plead guilty to?
Damon Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal gambling probe.
What is the expected sentence for Damon Jones after his guilty plea?
Damon Jones is expected to receive a sentence of 21 to 27 months based on sentencing guidelines.
What illegal activities was Damon Jones involved in?
Damon Jones was involved in sharing inside information about players' injuries and participating in rigged poker games.
How many people are involved in the federal gambling probe related to Damon Jones?
Damon Jones is the first of 30 people to enter a plea in the federal gambling probe.
Related Articles
NHL
Behind the scenes of an NHL offside review
Exploring the NHL offside review process during a recent game.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Wiregrass Ranch (FL) football looking to stay the course
Wiregrass Ranch football under Coach Kantor aims to return to playoffs after last season's near miss.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Man Steals Home Run Ball From Girl At Guardians Game. Donât Be That Guy.
Man steals home run ball from girl at Guardians game, sparking outrage.
Kawhi Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer are at the forefront of an investigation into whether the team allegedly helped facilitate a $28 million âno-showâ endorsement deal for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.
The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. on Feb. 20, 2025 for 25 games for testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, which is an opiate.
The NBA gave Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter a lifetime ban in April 2024 for "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games."
The NBA banned Donald Sterling for life, forced him to sell the Los Angeles Clippers and fined him $2.5 million in April 2014 after racist comments made by Sterling on a private audio recording were disclosed.
In the 2009-10 season, it was discovered Gilbert Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards locker room and had an alteracation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton involving firearms in the locker room. The NBA suspended both players indefinitely, and Arenas ended up serving a 50-game suspension.
In 2008, NBA referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to a 15-month prison term and three years of supervised release for betting on games that he officiated.
Latrell Sprewell was fired from the Golden State Warriors after he choked Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo during a closed door practice.
1 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
Kawhi Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer are at the forefront of an investigation into whether the team allegedly helped facilitate a $28 million âno-showâ endorsement deal for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.
3 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. on Feb. 20, 2025 for 25 games for testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, which is an opiate.
4 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
The NBA gave Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter a lifetime ban in April 2024 for "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games."
5 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
The NBA banned Donald Sterling for life, forced him to sell the Los Angeles Clippers and fined him $2.5 million in April 2014 after racist comments made by Sterling on a private audio recording were disclosed.
6 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
In the 2009-10 season, it was discovered Gilbert Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards locker room and had an alteracation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton involving firearms in the locker room. The NBA suspended both players indefinitely, and Arenas ended up serving a 50-game suspension.
7 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
In 2008, NBA referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to a 15-month prison term and three years of supervised release for betting on games that he officiated.
8 / 8
NBAâs biggest scandals: Betting, violence and racism exposed
Latrell Sprewell was fired from the Golden State Warriors after he choked Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo during a closed door practice.
Before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, authorities say Jones texted a co-conspirator, alerting them to bet on the Bucks before the injury statuses of both teams were released. James ended up not playing in the game because of a lower-body injury, and Los Angeles went on to lose the game 115-105.
Jones and James were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, and he was an assistant with the team from 2016 to 2018.
Jones was also accused of using his notoriety to get people to poker games rigged by organized crime figures in order to steal money from them, sometimes using technology, including poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and rigged shuffling machines with the ability to read the cards in the deck.
During one game, prosecutors said, Jones was paid $2,500 for his participation in a game in Hamptons, a swanky New York resort on Long Island.