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Shockwaves hit the NBA on Thursday Morning (October 23). Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested by the FBI.
Chauncey Billups Arrested by the FBI
Billups was arrested for his connection to an illegal gambling probe related to an illegal poker operation in connection with the mafia. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
Following the announcement, fans on social media weighed in with their reactions.
“He’s been betting those Scoot Henderson unders. N***a probably got untold riches,” one person said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Was it from him intentionally playing Matisse Thybull and Deandre Ayton?” another user added.
“Billups saw the roster and said, ‘yeah, we’re not winning anyway, might as well bet’ and bro really took ‘bet on yourself’ too literally,” a third user said.
Charania also noted that FBI Director Kash Patel will hold a press conference on Thursday Morning to announce all of the arrests that have been made.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested by the FBI for alleged illegal gambling, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2025
Kyrie Irving Gets Candid on Sports Betting
The rising popularity of sports betting has become something that is hard to ignore. As of October 2025, sports betting is legal in 38 states, with more likely to come. But the rise of popularity has come with a cost. The level of vitriol fans have against players who cost them money has caused the relationship between fans and players to be frayed. It is something that Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has noticed.
“I’m just gonna call it out. Everybody is talking about their f —— ticket. I’m not gonna say I don’t care about your ticket, but if you want to gamble, why don’t you gamble on something that makes sense to you? And if you gamble on me, I’m not going to tell you whether it’s a good gamble or bagging, I’m just saying you’re gambling. You’re gonna win or lose,” Irving said in March 2023 via Sports Illustrated.
“There is a difference between being a diehard fan and supporting your team and loving your team versus somebody that’s betting on a parlay. … Do not get me wrong. I do not want anybody wasting their money on me. But goddang this whole community of gamblers has come into the game of basketball.”
