Damon Jones, the former NBA player and assistant coach accused of selling non-public injury information, has requested a change-of-plea hearing in his federal gambling case.
The Athletic is reporting he plans to plead guilty at an upcoming hearing in Brooklyn. The Daily Mail has sought confirmation through Jones’ attorney.
Jones previously denied providing non-public injury information to gamblers, including LeBron James’ game status. When he does plead guilty, Jones will be the first of the defendants to do so in the case.
The 49-year-old allegedly texted an un-named co-conspirator in February of 2023 to instruct the individual to place a big bet on the Milwaukee Bucks beating the Lakers. Serving as the Lakers’ shooting coach at the time, Jones knew before the public that James would not be playing that night due to injury.
Jones is further alleged to have sold similar health information about another Lakers player in January of 2024. According to prosecutors, that information was provided to other gamblers, who placed a $100,000 winning bet on a Lakers loss.
He was charged along with NBA guard Terry Rozier, who is also accused of aiding a group of gamblers to make wagers on private injury information. Rozier has pleaded not guilty in that case and has since been released by the Miami Heat.
Damon Jones, the former NBA player and assistant coach accused of selling non-public injury information, has requested a change-of-plea hearing in his federal gambling case
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse after a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges in October. He pleaded not guilty
Prosecutors claim Jones was selling inside information dating back to December of 2022.
That trial, ‘USA v. Earnest et al,’ is just one federal of two federal cases in which Jones is named as a defendant.
He is also named in ‘USA v. Aiello et al’ after allegedly participating in rigged poker games arranged by organized crime figures that resulted in millions of dollars in losses from victims.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach and retired Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups is also accused of participating in the rigged games. Prosecutors claim he and Jones were used to lure unsuspecting gamblers to the tables, where concealed technology was used being used by their co-conspirators.
Both Billups and Jones have pleaded not guilty in that case.
