Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal charge that he gave inside information to gamblers.
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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 one count 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.
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.
