Ex-NBA Player Jones to Plead Guilty in Gambling Probe

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Stoudamire Jones is set to become the first defendant to plead guilty in a federal gambling investigation that resulted in the arrests of more than 30 individuals, including members of organized crime families and other basketball personnel. The 49-year-old faces a change-of-plea hearing on May 6 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a recent court filing.

Jones, who previously entered not guilty pleas, stands accused in two separate indictments of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege he profited from providing sports bettors with nonpublic information about injuries to Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis while serving as an unofficial shooting coach for the team during the 2022-2023 season. In one instance, on February 9, 2023, Jones texted an unnamed associate, "Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out," regarding James's unreported lower body injury ahead of a Lakers-Bucks game. James was ruled out shortly before tip-off, and Milwaukee won 115-106.

In another case, on January 15, 2024, bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones about $2,500 for a tip that Davis...