Professional poker commentator Matt Berkey claims he had refused to participate in those same games years earlier. On his Only Friends podcast, Berkey said the games were “for sure confirmed to be cheating,” citing multiple players who consistently hit statistically impossible draws.
Legal Fallout and Denial from Billups’ Camp
Billups, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and has been the Trail Blazers’ head coach since 2021, faces money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges. He was arraigned in Portland and later released on bail.
His attorney, Chris Heywood, issued a strong denial:
“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.”
Billups has since been placed on immediate leave by the Trail Blazers. Assistant coach Tiago Splitter will serve as the interim head coach while the case is being developed.
