While the story is still unfolding and the depth of implications could extend even further, what is known is that Chauncey Billups is in for the fight of his life. While awaiting arraignment on November 24th, Billups was suspended by the NBA without pay from his multimillion-dollar head coaching position with the Portland Trail Blazers. Tiago Splitter was named the interim coach, while the future of Billups will be dependent on the outcome of the courts.

“It’s a hard process,” said LA Clippers coach Tyrone Lue. “You hate to see him go through something like this, along with his three girls, who are my goddaughters, and his wife, Piper.” Lue, speaking on Sunday before the Clippers game, said that Billups was like a brother to him since he was 17.

Billups was taken into custody last Thursday on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a possible sentence of 20 years in prison. In all, 34 co-defendants were accused in the case, including current and former NBA figures in association with Mafia members from four of the notorious five families.

“These individuals got in bed with La Cosa Nostra and four of the five major crime families in New York City to create gambling empires, to rob people of their money, to extort people, to commit acts of wire fraud, to rig games and poker games and basketball games, just so they can make a few extra bucks,” FBI Director Kash Patel said on Fox News. “They had the protection of the mafia in New York, around this country, so that they could continue this scheme to fleece innocent victims of tens of millions of dollars.”

Billups was allegedly involved in rigged poker games staged by organized crime members who used his notoriety to lure unsuspecting bettors. Sophisticated technology, including X-ray machines and rigged card-shuffling devices, was employed in the scam. Also named in the sting were Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones.

With Billups named as the highest-profile NBA figure in the scandal, the news rocked the Denver community and the entire nation. Billups, 49, played for the CU Buffs and the Denver Nuggets in his 17-year playing career and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2004. Named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, Billups had a pristine reputation and was highly respected.

Billups’ attorney Chris Heywood released a statement, “Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not cheat and defraud others. To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall-of-Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game.

Furthermore, Chauncey Billups has never and would never gamble on basketball games, provide insider information, or sacrifice the trust of his team and the League, as it would tarnish the game he has devoted his entire life to. Chauncey Billups has never backed down. He does not plan to do so at this time. He will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in court.”

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