Damon Jones pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in the NBA gambling investigations. Andres Kudacki / Getty Images
NEW YORK — Former NBA player Damon Jones pleaded not guilty Thursday in Brooklyn federal court on charges related to his alleged involvement in a rigged poker game ring and an alleged illicit sports gambling scheme.
Jones was released on $200,000 bond, backed by his mother and stepfather.
Authorities arrested Jones last month as one of more than 30 people charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in two separate indictments that federal prosecutors said were related. Jones was one of three people charged in both indictments.
Marves Fairley, who was charged for his alleged involvement in the sports gambling ring, also pleaded not guilty Thursday. He is out on $200,000 bond.
Jones, 49, played 11 seasons in the NBA and is a former teammate of LeBron James during James’ first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James then brought Jones to Cleveland in 2014, first as his personal shooting coach. Jones was later promoted to a full-time assistant coach with the Cavs and joined James when his career shifted to Los Angeles. Jones was not formally employed by the Lakers, but was often around the team and allowed to fly to away games on the team plane.
According to the indictment, Jones used his inside knowledge of the Los Angeles Lakers to sell information to sports gamblers so they could bet on it. He provided private information on a player believed to be LeBron James ahead of a Feb. 9, 2023, game to let his associates know James would not play. Jones is also alleged to have sold injury information on another Lakers player the next year, prosecutors said.
Jones and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups also allegedly participated in a scheme with alleged mafia members to defraud poker players. Prosecutors arrested Billups on Oct. 23, and his alleged role in the rigged poker game scheme dates to 2019, according to an indictment.
Nov 7, 2025
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