The NBA, aka No Bookies League, Hit with Illegal Gambling Allegations Along With Maifoso Members

Gambling is no stranger to professional sports or their players. Just ask NFL star Paul Hornung and MLB legend Pete Rose. One problem, though, you’ll have to reincarnate them “Lazarus” TV style if you wish to quiz them.

Yesterday, the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office announced the arrest of 30 individuals involved in various types of illegal gambling. Among those arrested were Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat Guard Terry Rozier. Former NBA Heat player Damon Jones was also arrested.

“We are here in New York to announce a historic arrest across a wide, sweeping criminal enterprise that envelops both the NBA and La Cosa Nostra,” FBI Director Kash Patel said at a press conference in Brooklyn announcing the arrests.

The Genovese, Gambino, and Bonanno crime families allegedly ran the criminal enterprise. Rozier was arrested for an illegal sports betting scheme, and Billups for a rigged poker operation. Jones was arrested for both. In all, there were 30 arrests.

[PICTURE: FBI Director Kash Patel, center, at the news conference announcing the arrests on gambling]