The basketball world was turned upside down Thursday morning when the FBI announced the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones for alleged illegal gambling.
Rozier is under investigation for a 2023 incident, in which he allegedly informed people close to him that he would be leaving a game early and to place bets on his unders, according to a report by The Athletic. The NBA investigated Rozier for the same event this summer, but cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Billups has been charged with allegedly being involved in an illegal poker operation with ties to the Mafia, as reported by ABC News.
Jones was arrested under the allegations that he disclosed private injury information about NBA players, such as NBA star LeBron James, to facilitate illegal sports betting, according to ESPN.
During a pre-season press conference, Quinnipiac men’s basketball head coach Tom Pecora gave his thoughts on the ongoing situation — and he didn’t hold back.
“You see all of this crazy NBA stuff that’s coming out today,” Pecora said. “I talked to the guys last week about this whole gambling thing, and (how) you’re playing with fire, because with technology now, it doesn’t matter who you are.”
Pecora has never been a fan of money being tied to sports, whether it be through gambling or the recent rise of NIL.
“It’s just you know, what are we doing man?” Pecora said. “Really, can’t they just wait a few years to do that?”
Just a few weeks away from the season, Pecora reiterated the message that there’s no need or tolerance for sports gambling at his program.
He warned about the kinds of individuals who get involved in these scandals and how sports gambling can only lead to trouble.
“I grew up with some of these guys that were in the other business,” Pecora said. “They just want you to get in debt, or having done something stupid where you owe them a favor. And then they pass, and then they’re not such good guys anymore.”
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the NBA wrote in a statement earlier today.
While Rozier and Billup’s futures in the league are unknown, for the time being they will not see any action on an NBA court.
“Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
Pecora transitioned off the subject with a final thought about players and coaches in the NBA involved in illegal gambling operations.
“You gotta be smart about it,” Pecora said. “And that’s just a shame, I can’t believe how stupid somebody can be. They have great wealth already and they’re pissing it away.”
