Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal charges that he gave inside information to gamblers and took part in rigged poker games.
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The 49-year-old, who played for 10 teams during an 11-year career, appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn and admitted his guilt to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy.
Jones’ sentencing was set for Jan. 6 and the government has suggested that he serve between 21 months and 27 months behind bars for the sports betting scheme and 63 months to 78 months for the poker scam.
The defendant appeared somber and looked straight ahead throughout much of the hearing, in which the judge asked him multiple questions to make sure he understood the weight of his admissions.
“Yes, sir,” he repeatedly said.
When asked by reporters if he was relieved there’d be no trial, the former player said: “To god be the glory.”

Jones was arrested last year as part of a wide-ranging probe on sports betting and illegal poker involving NBA figures and the mafia.
Defendants in the gambling sweep included reputed mobsters and prominent basketball figures, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Fame member Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Jones sold or attempted to sell information he gleaned from his NBA ties, prosecutors said.
He tipped off gamblers before a Feb. 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, knowing non-public information that a high profile L.A. star was injured and wouldn’t play.
“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out,” he texted an unnamed co-conspirator, according to federal authorities.
Power forward LeBron James was out for the Lakers that night because of a sore left ankle and foot, in a 115-106 Milwaukee win.







