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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has been charged in connection with an alleged illegal poker ring linked to organized crime, according to law-enforcement sources and reporting by ABC News.
Billups, who guided Portland into the 2025-26 season in his fifth year as head coach, was arrested in Oregon and is scheduled to make his first court appearance.
From Detroit to the Blazers: Billups’ Hall-of-Fame Legacy
Before stepping behind the bench, Billups carried a deep connection to Detroit — he starred with the Detroit Pistons, won the 2004 NBA title (earning Finals MVP) and wrapped his career as a five-time All-Star. Now his legacy is clouded by legal trouble that reaches far beyond the court.
Broader Gambling Investigation Hits NBA
Billups’ case is part of a larger probe that also includes Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat, who has been charged in a related but distinct illegal gambling investigation involving inside information used to place unauthorized wagers.
Law-enforcement officials say the arrests strike at the heart of efforts to protect game-integrity in professional basketball.
What Detroit Sports Fans Should Know
- For Detroit fans who remember Billups’ clutch presence in Pistons blue, this is a jarring development.
- Although his coaching role is with Portland, his Detroit-roots make the story resonate locally — especially in conversations around accountability in sports.
- The NBA now faces renewed scrutiny on betting and gambling risks, reminding Detroit’s fan base how fragile public trust in professional sports can be.
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Jeff Bilbrey
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