Three former Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations earlier this year. The lack of cooperation constitutes an NCAA violation that could trigger permanent ineligibility, according to a decision released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. But the three former starters — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry — were seniors and have no collegiate eligibility remaining. Still, the NCAA announcement Friday put another spotlight on sports betting a day after an FBI investigation into illicit gambling activities resulted in the arrests of NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and others.
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The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people — including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures — has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of sports betting in the U.S. The multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy for sports fans — and even some players — to wager on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. But regulating the rapidly-growing industry has proven to be a challenge. Professional sports leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has also raised eyebrows.
AP Wire
The head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a player for the Miami Heat have been arrested along with more than 30 other people in a takedown of two sprawling gambling operations that authorities said leaked inside information about NBA athletes and rigged poker games backed by Mafia families. Portland coach Chauncey Billups was charged Thursday with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games tied to La Cosa Nostra organized crime families that cheated unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7 million. Heat guard Terry Rozier was accused in a separate scheme of exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t satisfied with just one MVP season. So he delivered an MVP performance in the NBA Finals and is off to a superb start this season. The three-time All-Star scored a career-high 55 points with 15 coming in two overtimes to lead Oklahoma City to a second straight double overtime win, this time over defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana 141-135. Gilgeous-Alexander did by sticking to the script — staying aggressive, challenging defenders and making free throws.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their second straight double-overtime game to begin the season, beating the Indiana Pacers 141-135 on Thursday night in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals teams. The reigning MVP reached 50 for the fifth time, tying Russell Westbrook for most by a Thunder player. Ajay Mitchell added a career-best 26 points for Oklahoma City, which outlasted Houston on Tuesday in its season opener.
The Indiana Pacers rode an emotional roller coaster Thursday night. They gave the late Nancy Leonard, the organization’s matriarch, a standing ovation. They cherished the newest addition to the fieldhouse rafters, an Eastern Conference championship banner. The fans booed, naturally, as Oklahoma City’s players were introduced and roared at the sight of the dapperly dressed two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. They even serenaded the refs with boos following a flurry of late fouls and a technical on coach Rick Carlisle after he tried to call a timeout. Yes, opening night had a little bit of everything — except the drama and pressure of June's NBA Finals between these same teams.
Authorities say an indicted poker cheating ring involving pro sports figures and the mafia used a series of high-tech tactics in the scam. They included shuffling machines that could determine who held what cards and sent that information someone off-site who shared it with a player known as “the quarterback.” They could signal the other players at the table how to proceed. The organizers lured wealthy victims with the chance to play with pro athletes in posh New York spots. Authorities say other tactics used were an X-ray table that could determine who held what cards, and cameras hidden in the trays that held players' chips.
Kevin Porter Jr. won’t play in the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-game road trip after spraining his left ankle n a season-opening victory over the Washington Wizards. Porter underwent an MRI and an evaluation from Bucks team orthopedic surgeon Carole Vetter on Thursday that confirmed the initial diagnosis of a left ankle sprain. The 6-foot-5 guard won’t play Friday at Toronto or Sunday at Cleveland. The Bucks didn’t offer any additional update on Porter’s potential return. Porter scored 10 points before getting injured late in the first quarter of the Bucks’ 133-120 triumph Wednesday.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones are among 34 people charged in connection with schemes involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by Mafia, authorities said on Thursday. FBI Director Kash Patel and other law enforcement officials are releasing more information at a news conference in New York. Patel said multiple charges involve multiple mafia families and organized crime networks, and “mind-boggling” amounts of fraud. Rozier's lawyer, Jim Trusty, accused the FBI of aiming for “misplaced glory” by embarrassing the professional athlete with a perp walk, rather than allowing him to self-surrender.
An indictment says gambling money flowed after NBA player Terry Rozier told a pal that he would be exiting early from a game with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. Rozier and others are charged with conspiracy. The indictment says bettors who placed so-called prop bets cashed in when Rozier's playing time and points were well below average. Rozier is charged with conspiracy. His lawyer says Rozier is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.” Rozier now plays for the Miami Heat.