Damon Jones pleads guilty in NBA illegal gambling case

Damon Jones, former NBA player and assistant coach, is set to become the first person to plead guilty in the federal investigation into illegal gambling that led to more than 30 arrests. A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for May 6 in federal court in Brooklyn, according to court documents filed Thursday.

The 49-year-old American had initially pleaded not guilty last November to two separate charges: providing confidential injury information about stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis to bettors, and participating in rigged poker games.

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Privileged information sold on LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Prosecutors accuse Jones of selling or attempting to sell non-public information about players’ health status. On February 9, 2023, before a game between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, Jones allegedly sent a message to a co-conspirator: « Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out ».

James was not listed on the Lakers‘ injury report at the time of that message, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was ultimately ruled out due to a lower-body injury. The Lakers lost the game 115-106.

On January 15, 2024, bettor Marves Fairley allegedly paid Jones around $2,500 for a tip that Anthony Davis would play limited minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an injury. Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, but the tip proved false. Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers victory.

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty to sports gambling charges that were brought forth by the Department of Justice last fall, which led to the arrests of more than 30 people, per The Associated Press.

Jones… pic.twitter.com/n25OZTNMVh

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 16, 2026

A rigged poker scheme involving mob families

Alongside the sports betting charges, Jones is also accused of participating in a rigged poker scheme that used former NBA players to lure victims. According to the indictment, these games employed modified shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special glasses, and even X-ray equipment built into the tables.

Jones allegedly received $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was tasked with cheating by keeping an eye on other accomplices. When in doubt, he was told to fold. According to prosecutors, Jones replied by message: « y’all know I know what I’m doing ».

The scheme involved New York crime families, including the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno families, who received a share of the profits and helped carry out violent acts to ensure debt repayment.

Jones, who earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams over 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009, was James‘s teammate in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and served as an unofficial assistant coach for the Lakers during the 2022-2023 season. He remains free on bail pending his change-of-plea hearing.

LeBron James was unaware Damon Jones was selling/sharing info about his injury status, per @DanWoikeSports

Jones had restricted access to the Lakers in 2022-23 as he was on the court with LeBron James’ during pregame workouts

(https://t.co/JGcVpFcjs6) pic.twitter.com/TsFN7Yd5cJ

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 23, 2025