NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has spoken out following the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, calling the alleged actions “shameful” and warning about the consequences of jeopardizing careers and families.

Speaking on ESPN’s Inside the NBA on Thursday, October 23, 2025, O’Neal expressed his disbelief and disappointment over the indictments, which involve 31 defendants charged in a massive sports gambling and illegal poker ring with ties to the Mafia.

“We all know the letter of the law when it comes to gambling and sports gambling… I never gambled at anyone’s house. Don’t know anything about poker,” O’Neal said.

The NBA Hall of Famer, 53, emphasized that he personally knew both Billups and Jones very well, having played with Jones during his NBA career. He added, “I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy.”

Shaq Critiques NBA Players’ Decisions

O’Neal stressed the unnecessary risk involved, stating:

“There’s an old saying in the ‘hood: ‘All money ain’t good money.’ So if you’re making $9 million … like, how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you could do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself, your family or on the NBA. They dropped the ball.”

He urged current and former NBA players to consider the long-term impact of their actions on their careers, families, and the league.

Details of the Indictments

The arrests came on the same day as the Portland Trail Blazers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Billups, 49, was taken into custody shortly after the game, while Rozier, 31, was arrested at his Orlando hotel ahead of the Miami Heat’s season opener versus the Magic.

Federal authorities allege the defendants engaged in two separate schemes: a nationwide illegal poker ring and an insider sports betting conspiracy exploiting confidential NBA information. Damon Jones and Terry Rozier are charged with sports betting-related offenses, while Billups and Jones are implicated in the rigged poker game operation.

According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.:

“Defendants used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in underground poker games that were secretly fixed… backed by at least three New York Mafia families.”

The NBA has placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave, and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach Tiago Splitter as interim head coach for their next game against the Golden State Warriors.

Shaq’s Reaction Highlights NBA Concern

O’Neal’s comments underscore the league-wide shock at the alleged scandal. His words reflect both personal disappointment and the broader implications for NBA integrity, player conduct, and public trust in professional basketball.