Damon Jones Arrested for Allegedly Sharing LeBron James’ Injury Details for Illegal Betting
Former NBA Player Among 34 Charged in Nationwide Gambling and Mafia Investigation
A shocking development has hit the basketball world as former NBA player Damon Jones was arrested on Thursday for allegedly sharing private injury information about a “prominent” player — now revealed to be LeBron James — to aid illegal sports betting operations.
Authorities confirmed that Jones was one of 34 individuals arrested in a massive investigation that uncovered both illegal betting activities and rigged poker games linked to organised crime.
LeBron James Not Accused of Any Wrongdoing
A source close to LeBron James told ESPN that the Los Angeles Lakers star had no involvement in or knowledge of Jones’s actions. The federal indictment makes it clear that James is not accused of any wrongdoing.
According to reports, Jones was an unofficial and unpaid member of the Lakers’ coaching setup under former coach Darvin Ham. He joined team activities at Ham’s invitation after spending the summer of 2022 with LeBron James during his offseason training.
When JJ Redick took over as Lakers head coach, Jones was no longer associated with the team.
FBI Uncovers Massive Illegal Betting Network
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the arrests spanned nearly a dozen U.S. states, with the illegal operations involving tens of millions of dollars. The probe revealed two separate criminal cases: one focused on sports betting and the other on manipulated poker games tied to Mafia connections.
The investigation has also led to the arrest of high-profile sports figures, including:
Chauncey Billups, Head Coach of the Portland Trail Blazers
Terry Rozier, Miami Heat guard
Both are reportedly facing questioning in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The LeBron James Game Incident
Federal documents claim that before a Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks game on 9 February 2023, Damon Jones texted a co-conspirator urging them to place a “big bet” on the Bucks, saying “LeBron’s going to be out.”
LeBron had just made history two days earlier by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. However, he missed the next three games due to left ankle soreness.
Jones allegedly followed up with another message:
“Bet enough so Djones can eat [too] now!!!”
Without James, the Bucks defeated the Lakers 115–106, which reportedly led to substantial betting gains for those involved.
More Allegations the Following Season
The indictment further accuses Jones of sharing non-public injury information again the next season before the Lakers’ match against the Oklahoma City Thunder on 15 January 2024.
Authorities believe this pattern of leaking sensitive player details for betting purposes may have continued for several months before the FBI’s intervention.
Lakers and NBA Response
When reached by ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers declined to comment on the ongoing case involving their former associate.
Current Lakers coach JJ Redick, however, addressed the importance of anti-gambling policies, noting that the league has reiterated its stance on betting regulations this season.
“We’ve had two meetings on it already,” Redick said. “It’s obviously on the front of everyone’s awareness given the last two years, but other than that, there’s no other comment.”
A Growing Concern Over Gambling in Sports
The NBA, like other major sports leagues, has faced increasing challenges surrounding gambling and integrity issues since the legalisation of sports betting across several U.S. states.
Recent cases have raised serious questions about the potential misuse of insider information by players, coaches, or staff. The league has since strengthened its policies and education programs to prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
The arrest of Damon Jones adds another chapter to the ongoing debate about gambling in professional sports. While LeBron James remains uninvolved and cleared of any wrongdoing, the allegations highlight how closely tied betting and basketball have become in recent years.
The FBI’s wide-reaching investigation is expected to continue, and more arrests or indictments could follow as federal agents unravel the full scale of the operation.
Sources:
ESPN
FBI Press Conference (October 2025)
Los Angeles Lakers Official Statements
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