Chauncey Billups: Profile, age, background, tribe, wife, and children, of Portland Trail Blazers head coach arrested for gambling

Chauncey Billups, the celebrated former player and current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was reportedly arrested on Thursday in connection with a major federal investigation into illegal gambling operations.

The arrest, which took place shortly after the Trail Blazers’ season opener, links the NBA champion to a separate, but related, case involving an alleged illegal high-stakes poker operation.

This feature article provides a profile of the Hall of Fame player turned coach and details the reported charges that have placed him at the centre of a burgeoning scandal.

Chauncey Billups profile

Chauncey Ray Billups, often nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances as a player, is a prominent figure in professional basketball.

Chauncey Billups Personal Information & Background

Age: Billups was born on September 25, 1976, making him 49 years old as of the time of the reported arrest (October 2025).
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Background: He starred at George Washington High School in Denver before attending the University of Colorado for college. His parents are Ray and Faye Billups.

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Tribe/Ethnicity: The available public information identifies Chauncey Billups as an African American from Denver, Colorado. There is no widely documented or specific “tribe” affiliation reported in major biographical sources.
Wife and Children: Billups is married to his wife, Piper Riley Billups. The couple has three daughters: Ciana, Ciara, and Cenaiya.

Is Chauncey Billups in the Hall of Fame?

Chauncey Billups was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. Denver, Colorado, U.S.
NBA Career Highlights

Billups enjoyed a celebrated 17-year playing career in the NBA, establishing himself as one of the league’s top point guards. Playing Career (1997–2014): Drafted 3rd overall in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, he played for seven different teams, including stints with the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Championship Glory: His most successful period was with the Detroit Pistons, where he led the team to the 2004 NBA Championship, earning the NBA Finals MVP award.

Accolades: He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, and was recently elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2024). His jersey No. 1 is retired by the Detroit Pistons.

Coaching Career: After retiring as a player, Billups entered coaching, serving as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers before taking the head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021.

Does Chauncey Billups have a ring?

Take a look back at Chauncey Billups receiving his ring during the Pistons ceremony in 2005!

Arrest Details: Alleged Gambling Scheme

The arrest of the Trail Blazers coach is part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling, which has also implicated current Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and numerous other defendants.

The Charges Against Billups

According to law enforcement sources, Chauncey Billups was reportedly arrested in Portland on Thursday morning. Unlike the allegations against Rozier and others, which reportedly involve using inside information for illegal wagers on NBA player performance (prop bets), Billups’ charges are believed to be in connection with a separate, but related, criminal case.

Breaking: Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested by the FBI for alleged illegal gambling, sources tell @ShamsCharania.

Get breaking news alerts from Shams through the ESPN app: https://t.co/QEjDpr2WVy pic.twitter.com/FQKCfgV40Q

— ESPN (@espn) October 23, 2025

Specific Allegation: Billups is reportedly charged with operating an illegal high-stakes poker operation that is allegedly tied to organized crime figures (the Mafia).

Timing: The arrest came hours after Billups coached the Trail Blazers in their season-opening loss on Wednesday night.

Investigation Scope: The overall investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York has resulted in numerous arrests, signalling a massive federal crackdown on illegal betting rings. Officials were scheduled to provide more details at a press conference.