NEW YORK (PulseWire) — In a shocking turn of events, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested today in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling. Sources have confirmed the arrests but have not disclosed specific charges, pending further investigation.
The NBA has not commented on the matter currently. This follows a prior investigation into Rozier, who had previously met with NBA and FBI officials, reportedly after an initial probe suggested he had done nothing wrong.
Rozier was present in Orlando for the Miami Heat's season opener against the Magic, but he did not play. He was subsequently taken into custody early Thursday morning.
A request for comment from Billups has yet to receive a response. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities, including FBI Director Kash Patel, are expected to hold a news conference later today to provide more details regarding this ongoing investigation.
In a related incident, former NBA player Jontay Porter recently pleaded guilty to charges involving manipulating games for gambling advantage, raising questions about the integrity of NBA games and the influence of gambling practices on player behavior.
This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of sports partnerships with betting companies as the NBA navigates the complex issues surrounding legality and ethics in sports betting.
