標籤: gambling

Texas Tech Red Raiders transfer quarterback Brandon Sorsby is checking into a treatment program for gambling addiction, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Sorbsey, who most recently played for the Cincinnati Bearcats, is one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft next spring.

The 22-year-old quarterback decided to seek gambling treatment after a recent discovery. Sorsby placed thousands of online bets on various sports through a gambling app, as first reported by Thamel. The NCAA is currently investigating Sorsby’s gambling as he enters treatment for the problem.

“we love [Brendan Sorsby] And support his decision to seek professional help,” said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. ”It takes courage to take this step, and our primary focus is on them as an individual. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.

In 2025, Soursby threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games with Cincinnati. This represents the 22-year-old quarterback’s second year with Cincinnati. He spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers. Sorbsey was ranked as one of the top players in the NCAA transfer portal during this cycle.

Sorsby is set to replace former Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas Tech was excited to land Sorsby, who was one of the top quarterback prospects in next year’s 2027 NFL Draft.

Sorsby’s future with Texas Tech is unclear after seeking treatment for gambling. Currently, the NCAA is trying to understand the extent of his actions through its investigation. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders aid Soursby in his recovery, hoping he can improve his health.

READ MORE: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 2027 NFL Draft class

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Nearly six months after pleading not guilty, former NBA player and coach Damon Jones is poised to become the first defendant to plead guilty in a sweeping federal gambling investigation that has shaken fan confidence in the league.

A change of plea hearing for Jones in the sports betting case is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday. Prosecutors have until the end of next week to file statements on the exact charges he will plead guilty to.

In short, things are about to heat up. His attorney confirmed the change but emphasized that Jones is not cooperating with authorities. Which is a strange admission.

Jones initially pleaded not guilty in November 2025 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges in connection with an alleged scheme to provide sports bettors with non-public injury and availability information on NBA stars – specifically LeBron James and Anthony Davis – while he had privileged access to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022–23 season.

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling scandal that led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball personalities. https://t.co/Z2zY5QCuZm

– ESPN (@espn) 16 April 2026

Interestingly, Jones’ change in plea comes just months after the league launched an independent investigation in which officials requested cell phones and documents from multiple teams. Among those receiving the request were Lakers employees Mike Mancias (LeBron James’ longtime assistant coach) and Randy Mims (executive administrator and another James associate), who voluntarily surrendered their phones and records.

It is important to note that James is not believed to be involved in any way. Mancias and Mims were reportedly under investigation for their relationship with Jones.

Jones allegedly sent a text message to a co-conspirator before the Lakers-Bucks game in Milwaukee on February 9, 2023. At the time, James was not yet listed on the official injury report.

“Bet big on Milwaukee tonight before info comes out,” he reportedly wrote.

James ultimately exited the contest with a lower body injury and the Lakers lost 115–106.

Jones is also alleged to have been paid $2,500 for a tip on Davis in January 2024, which suggests the Lakers star will have limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury. The lead was denied, Davis played normal minutes and was effective enough to lead Los Angeles to a 112–105 win. The sports bettor who paid Jones for the tip and then placed a $100,000 bet on the Lakers was not happy.

From LeBron’s trusted shooting partner to federal guilty plea: The shocking fall of Damon Jones

According to ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, Jones and James’ history stretches back to the mid-2000s. They were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008. After Jones’ playing career ended, the two maintained an on-and-off friendship. Jones later worked informally as a shooting consultant for James, including during the Cavs’ 2016 championship run under Tyronn Lue.

That bond gave Jones unusual access after years with the Lakers. The fact that he would betray a team that trusted him and befriended LeBron to sell insider betting tips is astonishing.

James and Jones had already fallen out of touch by the time charges were filed following an alleged altercation.

Jones faces a separate but related indictment involving alleged participation in a Mafia-linked, rigged poker game that defrauded high-rollers out of millions. Yes, that is correct. The mafia reportedly had a hold on NBA players. He also pleaded not guilty to those charges in November.

The sweeping investigation, which led to more than 30 arrests, has also ensnared people like Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.

Jones’ expected guilty plea marks a significant development in the case. He would be the first person to plead guilty in this high-profile gambling scandal, potentially opening the door to sentencing negotiations for other players mentioned.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

Former Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors star Jonte Porter is attempting to return to professional basketball in 2024 after being handed a lifetime ban by the NBA. Porter is accused of “disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting their participation in one or more sports for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.” Porter last played for the Raptors 905 in the NBA G League.

Jonte Porter is signing with the Seattle Superhawks of the United States Basketball League and will play for them next month.

He was given a lifetime ban by the NBA for gambling in 2024, where he pleaded guilty to related federal charges. He is currently awaiting sentencing. pic.twitter.com/sAfNKUrXtd

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

However, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints, Porter is currently signing for the Seattle Super Hawks of the newly rebooted United States Basketball League while awaiting sentencing. The 26-year-old player, whose request to play professionally in Greece was previously denied by a federal judge, is expected to make the team’s debut in the March 7 season opener against the Lilac City Legends at Seattle Pacific University.

The revived USBL, an eight-team West Coast league that pays homage to the original 1984-2008 circuit that launched the careers of players like Muggsy Boggs, appears to be the new landing spot for Porter. In April 2024, the league banned him permanently after an investigation revealed shocking compromises with the integrity of the game.

While playing on a two-way contract for the Toronto Raptors, Porter intentionally limited his playing time in two different competitions in order to manipulate the results of illegal prop bets. Court documents further detail that he messaged co-conspirators between games to coordinate the scheme and personally placed illegal bets on 13 NBA matchups, netting $22,000 in winnings.

Prior to his ban, Porter, the younger brother of Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., recorded a total of 37 NBA appearances between the Memphis Grizzlies and Raptors, posting modest career averages of 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. In July 2024, Porter pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

While the charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, he will most likely receive a sentence of three to four years.

After numerous complaints that teams were clearly lagging over the past few weeks, the NBA responded by issuing fines to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. An NBA insider believes these punishments were handed down in response to commissioner Adam Silver receiving pressure from gambling companies.

Interest in NBA gambling has grown rapidly over the years, with thousands of dollars wagered on each game. However, if teams are not disclosing unconventional game plans to betting companies, it is difficult for betting sites to set accurate lines, which could create disarray in the industry, NBA insider Ben Golliver speculated.

“I think an important aspect of it with Utah is – if you’re not playing with guys in the fourth quarter, how many plays is that affecting? Golliver said on the ‘Greatest of All Talk’ podcast. “We know how much the NBA has gotten away with with gambling. Over-unders are at stake, players’ supports are at stake. If coaches are just acting reluctantly, not putting people through full games, and they’re not telling people in advance that they plan to do that, you’re going to have a lot of angry gamblers and a lot of angry gambling companies.”

Adam Silver is reportedly cracking down on late-game slumps due to the NBA’s “serious ties” to gambling. @bengolliver

“We know how deeply the NBA has become intertwined with gambling… If coaches are intentionally not playing people throughout the game and they are not letting people play… pic.twitter.com/QEQN7NV96R

– The NBA Base (@TheNBABAse) 17 February 2026

The NBA has been actively combating tanking for years, but the issue has never been as severe as it was for the Jazz and Pacers at the end of the 2025-2026 season. Utah received heavy criticism for sitting star players Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic for the entire fourth quarter at the end of several games before being fined.

As the sports betting industry continues to grow, all professional leagues are working to maintain strong relationships with gambling companies. The NBA has already dealt with several high-profile gambling scandals over the past three years and will do everything possible to avoid going down that path again.