FBI Arrests Ex-Timberwolves Star Chauncey Billups

The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off the regular season last night in Portland, taking on the Trail Blazers, who not only lost to the Wolves, but also lost their head coach after he was arrested by the FBI.

News is breaking this morning that the Trail Blazers coach, and former NBA star who played for the Timberwolves from 2000 to 2002, Chauncey Billups, was arrested on federal gambling charges.

FBI Allegations and Mafia Ties For Ex-Timberwolves Player

According to the FBI, Billups was tied to an illegal poker ring with links to the mafia. You do not need to watch a mob related TV show or movie to know that any ties between the mafia, gambling, and sports could lead to a range of irregularities.

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The FBI arrested over 30 people in nine states, including a handful of current and former NBA players. The Billups case is a different, but related, case. The FBI accuses Billups of being a "face card" for the mob poker games, basically using his star power to distract other players from the actual scam that was happening.

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The FBI says the poker games were rigged, from the dealer to other players at the table, to steal tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars from targeted victims. These were sophisticated operations, according to the FBI. Shuffling machines were modified to read the cards, and other technology was used to share that information with the players who were in on the scam.

Other NBA Players Named

The FBI also arrested Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones. They are accused of being involved in illegal sports gambling. The FBI said the "defendants profited from illegal gambling and illegal betting on various NBA games."

This story will continue to unfold over the coming days and weeks, but Billups and Rozier have already both been suspended by the NBA.

Places In Minnesota Where You Can Still See A Movie At A Drive-In Theater

Options for places to see a movie at a drive-in theater have dwindled down significantly over the years, but there are thankfully still some options around Minnesota to choose from! If you're looking to see a movie at a drive-in theater, these are the options still available in Minnesota.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Tour Minnesota's Fanciest Mini Golf Course - The Centennial Lakes Putting Course

While they won't call it a mini golf course, it kind of is. This 18-hole course boasts all real grass playing surfaces, natural obstacles like sand traps, boulders, and water, just like a real golf course.

The whole course looks and feels like a shrunken golf course, and it plays like one, too! The holes are long! The shortest hole is 57 feet, the longest is 125 feet, and the whole 18-hole course plays 1,662 feet.

This is no ordinary mini golf course!

Take a tour.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper