Ex-NBA player Damon Jones pleads not guilty to selling injury secrets, profiting from rigged poker

Former NBA Player Damon Jones Pleads Not Guilty in Gambling and Insider Information Case

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones entered not guilty pleas Thursday to federal charges alleging he participated in rigged poker games and sold confidential information about player injuries to sports bettors.

Jones, 49, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn for back-to-back arraignments stemming from last month’s sweeping federal crackdown on gambling operations. During the brief proceedings, Jones remained largely silent as his court-appointed attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The court set bail at $200,000, secured by his parents’ Texas home as collateral. Montgomery indicated that “plea negotiations” might be forthcoming. Jones is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary conference on November 24, alongside other defendants in the case.

The former NBA journeyman was one of more than 30 individuals arrested in a far-reaching gambling investigation that also implicated several other basketball figures, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, as well as alleged members of organized crime families.

Sports bettor Marves Fairley, who allegedly placed bets based on inside information provided by Jones, also pleaded not guilty during Thursday’s proceedings.

Prosecutors allege that Jones, who earned over $20 million during his 11-season NBA career with 10 different teams, sold privileged information about injuries to NBA superstars, including his former teammate LeBron James. According to court documents, Jones texted a co-conspirator before a February 9, 2023, Lakers-Bucks game, urging: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.” James, who wasn’t initially listed on the injury report, was later ruled out of that game with a lower body injury, and the Lakers lost 115-106.

In another instance in January 2024, prosecutors claim Jones received $2,500 from Fairley for a tip that Lakers star Anthony Davis would see limited playing time against Oklahoma City due to injury. Fairley allegedly placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder based on this information. However, the tip proved inaccurate—Davis played his normal minutes, scored 27 points with 15 rebounds, and the Lakers won 112-105. Prosecutors say Fairley subsequently demanded his $2,500 payment be refunded.

The Texas native, who played college basketball at the University of Houston and once proclaimed himself “the best shooter in the world,” is facing wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges in both cases. His travel has been restricted to parts of Texas and New York City as part of his bail conditions.

After his playing career, Jones worked as a shooting consultant for the Cleveland Cavaliers and served as an assistant coach when the team won the 2016 NBA championship with James. The two had previously been teammates in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008, and Jones later served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.

In addition to the insider information allegations, prosecutors say Jones participated in a sophisticated poker cheating scheme. According to the indictment, Jones was among former NBA players recruited to attract unwitting participants to poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, specialized sunglasses, and even X-ray equipment built into tables.

Court documents state Jones received $2,500 for his role in a poker game held in the Hamptons. He was allegedly instructed to pay close attention to other conspirators, with his instructor comparing those individuals to NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Jones was told to fold his hand when uncertain, to which prosecutors say he texted back: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

The poker operation allegedly operated in conjunction with illegal games run by New York crime families, with prosecutors claiming portions of proceeds were shared with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonnano crime families. These organized crime connections allegedly helped enforce debt repayment through violent means including assault, extortion, and robbery.

The case represents one of the most significant gambling scandals to hit professional basketball in recent years, highlighting concerns about the integrity of sports as legal betting has expanded nationwide.