NEW YORK (AP) — Chauncey Billups, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a celebrated member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday. He faces accusations of benefiting from tampered poker games that allegedly involved several Mafia members and another former NBA player.

Billups, renowned for his five NBA All-Star appearances and a championship victory with the Detroit Pistons, was formally charged in a Brooklyn federal court. The charges include conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, with each charge potentially leading to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Billups participated in a plot to manipulate illicit poker games financed by the mob in locations such as Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons. Additional charges against others include operating an illegal gambling ring, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit extortion. Prosecutors revealed on Monday that discussions for plea deals have commenced with some defendants, although they did not specify who.

U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes expressed his intention to bring the case to trial by next September, urging the attorneys to “do what you have to do” to prepare for the proceedings.

Appearing in a dark grey suit, Billups responded only to the judge’s yes-or-no inquiries. His attorney, Marc Mukasey, submitted his plea, and both chose not to comment following the court session. In a previous statement, another lawyer representing Billups described him as a “man of integrity” who disputes the charges.

“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,” attorney Chris Heywood said after Billups first appeared in court on Oct. 23, when prosecutors first announced the indictment.

Billups, 49, was released on a $5 million bond secured by his family’s Colorado home. He must refrain from gambling, avoid contact with other defendants or alleged victims, surrender his passport and limit travel to seven states, including Oregon and New York, and Washington, D.C.

Inducted last year into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Billups was arguably the most prominent among more than 30 people charged in last month’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports.

Ex-NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also charged in the poker scheme, as well as another separate scheme to let gamblers exploit insider information about players to win NBA bets that implicated Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

In addition to Monday’s arraignment, Billups and his co-defendants attended a status conference and are due back in court March 4.

Prosecutors say the poker-rigging scheme used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip trays, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards. They allege the operation defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019.

Billups allegedly served as a celebrity “face card” that could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said organizers texted during one game that a victim “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck.”

Prosecutors say Billups received a portion of the ill-gotten gains. including a $50,000 wire transfer after a rigged game in October 2020.

Organizers also had to share their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob families for operating within the illegal poker games run by the New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said. In return, Mafia members allegedly carried out assault, extortion and robbery to collect debts and protect the operation.

During his NBA career, Billups earned about $106 million. After retiring in 2014, he embarked on a career as a TV analyst before pivoting to coaching.

Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

But he is perhaps most beloved in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack of making clutch shots.

Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons’ title run in 2004 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the team.

He was hired as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this year after the team missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups previously served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers.

After his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter as interim coach.

___

___

Follow Philip Marcelo at