Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is scheduled to appear in Brooklyn federal court on Monday to face charges related to an alleged scheme involving rigged poker games. Billups, a Hall of Famer and former NBA Finals MVP, is expected to plead not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

Prosecutors have identified Billups as a key figure in the operation, describing him as a "face card" who used his celebrity status to attract high-stakes players to the games. These poker games, allegedly backed by organized crime families, utilized advanced technology, including altered shuffling machines and x-ray equipment, to manipulate outcomes. The indictment, made public on October 23, includes 31 defendants, all of whom are set to appear in court on the same day.

Billups' attorney, Chris Heywood, has defended him, stating, "To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game."

The charges stem from a broader federal investigation into illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. Prosecutors allege that the poker scheme defrauded victims of approximately $7 million since at least 2019. Billups reportedly received a portion of the proceeds, including a direct transfer of $50,000 after a rigged game in October 2020.

The indictment also mentions other notable figures, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones, who are implicated in similar schemes. Prosecutors claim that the organizers of the poker games had to share their profits with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families, which were involved in violent acts to ensure the operation's success.

Billups, who played 17 seasons in the NBA, is best known for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he earned the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" for his clutch performances. After retiring in 2014, he transitioned to coaching and was hired by the Trail Blazers in 2021. Following the announcement of the charges, he was placed on unpaid leave, and assistant coach Tiago Splitter has taken over as interim coach.

The NBA has initiated a review of its policies regarding sports betting and the education of its personnel about the risks associated with gambling. This review comes in light of the recent charges against Billups and others, as the league seeks to protect its integrity and the careers of its players and coaches.