Damon Jones, who once thrived on the court as a guard, now has his name headline a very different story. The former sharpshooter has admitted in court to actions in a gaming case, Yankee Scores reports.
From Champion to Controversy
Damon Jones once helped guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to their lone championship in 2016 as an assistant coach. Yet after his playing and coaching days ended, he became involved in schemes that prosecutors say defrauded sportsbooks and poker players of millions.
The Guilty Plea
In Brooklyn federal court, Jones became the first out of more than 30 people arrested in the gambling sweep to plead guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He acknowledged using insider information from his NBA connections to gain an edge in sports betting, defrauding major sportsbooks like Draftkings and FanDuel, including millions of dollars from poker game players.
Reading from a prepared statement, Damon Jones acknowledged he aided in betting conspiracy, he said, “I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association.”
In a conspiracy which ran from December 2022 to March 2024, Jones explained that he used his knowledge of nonpublic information about injuries to NBA stars, including his one time teammate LeBron James to gain edge.
Jones also admitted to serving as a “face card” at high‑stakes poker games in Miami and the Hamptons. His celebrity status lured bettors to tables that prosecutors say were rigged with hidden cameras, altered shuffling machines, and even X‑ray equipment.
What Comes Next
Jones remains free on bail but faces sentencing in January. Guidelines suggest he could serve several years in prison, with harsher penalties tied to the poker scheme. He has agreed to forfeit $73,000 and may owe additional restitution.
