Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested as part of separate investigations involving illegal gambling, according to reports from ABC News and ESPN.
ABC News reports Billups has been charged in connection with an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia. The fifth-year head coach was arrested in Oregon on Thursday morning, Oct. 23, one day after a season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is expected to make a court appearance later Thursday.
Rozier was also arrested Thursday morning, according to an ESPN report, at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, where the Heat lost their season opener to the Magic. Rozier did not play in the game due to a coach's decision.
The FBI plans to hold a news conference Thursday morning to announce additional details of that investigation.
At the center of attention in Rozier's case is a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Sports books in several states flagged unusual betting activity on Rozier's statistics, triggering a halt on his prop bets. Rozier, who averaged 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game that season, left the game after playing just 10 minutes due to a foot injury.
