Published On 16 Apr 2026
Guilty Plea Expected from Damon Jones
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is anticipated to be the first individual to plead guilty in a sweeping gambling investigation that has resulted in over 30 arrests, including individuals associated with organized crime and noteworthy basketball figures.
Court Hearing Scheduled
Jones’ change-of-plea hearing is set for April 28 in federal court in Brooklyn, according to a court document filed on Thursday. This hearing was previously scheduled for May 6 but was rescheduled upon the request of the involved parties.
Previous Charges and Indictments
The 49-year-old had initially pleaded not guilty to separate charges related to profiting from manipulated poker games and providing confidential information about injuries to basketball stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
Details of Allegations
Jones is facing charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in both cases. Attempts to reach his attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, for comments were unsuccessful. Montgomery previously indicated that they might enter plea negotiations during Jones’ arraignment in November.
Connection to Major Basketball Figures
Jones, a former teammate of LeBron James, was arrested last October alongside notable figures including Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. He was one of three individuals charged in both the poker and sports betting cases and is currently out on bail.
Poker Scheme Involvement
In terms of the poker scheme, prosecutors assert that Jones was involved in deceiving players into participating in rigged games using manipulated shuffling devices and hidden cameras. According to the indictment, he was compensated $2,500 for his participation and was advised to observe other players closely to ensure cheating was executed properly.
Past Achievements and Career
Originally from Galveston, Texas, Jones earned over $20 million during his ten-season NBA career from 1999 to 2009. After playing, he worked as a shooting consultant and later as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their NBA championship run in 2016, alongside LeBron James.
