Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups appeared calm Monday morning in a Brooklyn federal courtroom as he pleaded not guilty to charges in a high-profile illegal gambling case that has sent shockwaves through the NBA.
The five-time All-Star, who lifted an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned alongside 31 co-defendants in the Eastern District of New York.
Billups, 49, stood alongside his attorney Marc Mukasey as the plea of “not guilty” was formally entered on his behalf.
Court Hopes to Start Trial by September 2026
Judge Ramon E. Reyes used the arraignment to schedule the next steps, noting that while some legal experts had predicted the proceedings could drag on for years, he hopes to start the trial by September 2026.
A follow-up status hearing has been set for March 4 at 2 p.m., keeping the case moving toward resolution.
Alleged Schemes Involving Poker and Insider Info
Billups, along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard and assistant coach Damon Jones, was arrested last month.
Prosecutors allege that Billups and Jones were used as “face cards” to attract gamblers to rigged poker games in an alleged $7 million scheme.
Separately, Jones and Rozier are accused of supplying inside information on player injuries to bettors in another purported scheme.
All three defendants maintain their innocence, with Jones pleading not guilty to charges in both cases during his recent arraignments.
Rozier’s arraignment is scheduled for December 8.
Blazers Adjust to Interim Leadership
With Billups away from Portland, the Trail Blazers have been navigating the season under interim coach Tiago Splitter.
The team enters the week with a 7-10 record, adapting to the absence of their head coach amid the ongoing legal drama.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Monday’s status conference saw all co-defendants present, emphasizing the scale and complexity of the case.
Judge Reyes’ goal of avoiding a multi-year legal battle highlights the court’s intention to move the case forward efficiently, but the coming months will be closely watched by NBA fans and sports media alike.
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