Damon Jones Alleged To Have Shared Private Injury Info On LeBron James

Former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones was arrested as part of a large-scale FBI investigation on Thursday regarding illegal sports betting and fixed poker games, where the 49-year-old is accused of sharing private injury information to bettors, FBI officials said.

A source told ESPN that the player in question was LeBron James, according to a report published on Thursday. However, James was not accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment.

The FBI investigation is on two cases: an illegal sports betting scheme and one involving Mafia-backed fixed poker games, officials said. Over 30 people were arrested across 11 states, which included prominent NBA figures like Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, FBI director Kash Patel said.

During the 2022/23 season, Jones spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers as an unpaid member, which included helping James in pregame preparations and preseason workouts. The source said the four-time NBA champion was not aware of Jones’ alleged gambling activities.

After James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s NBA all-time points record on February 7, 2023, the Lakers star missed his next match against the Milwaukee Bucks due to ankle soreness. The indictment says Jones is alleged to have texted a co-conspirator, encouraging the person to “get a big bet” on the Bucks. The game ended in a 115-106 Lakers loss.

The indictment also says Jones is alleged to have shared private information with a co-conspirator on January 15, 2024, when the Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Article by Jake Iovine