NEW YORK (AP) – Miami Heat player Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to charges related to assisting gamblers in placing bets concerning his performance during NBA games. The 31-year-old point guard formally entered his plea on Monday during an arraignment in federal court situated in Brooklyn. He faces serious accusations of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Rozier, who was previously playing for the Charlotte Hornets, was released on a substantial bond of $3 million, backed by his home in Florida along with another property. Prosecutors allege that in March 2023, Rozier conspired with acquaintances to manipulate wagers on his performance in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. They claim he informed the bettors that he would leave the game early due to an injury, which enabled them to place bets that resulted in significant winnings.
During the court appearance, Rozier, dressed in a gray suit, refrained from making extensive comments, responding only with "yes" or "no" to the judge's inquiries. Following the hearing, he opted not to speak to the media; however, his lawyer, Jim Trusty, stated that Rozier is "excited" to start building his defense. Trusty also mentioned that he intends to file a motion to dismiss the charges based on constitutional grounds.
In a subsequent hearing involving five other defendants, Trusty requested that the case proceed on a "speedy" timeline, citing that Rozier is facing "multiple layers of litigation," which includes arbitration with the NBA. Despite these concerns, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall dismissed this urgency, stating that "arbitration with the league is of no concern for me." The next court date was set for March 3, with prosecutors anticipating overwhelming evidence to be presented to the defense, including roughly 1,000 documents and over 55 gigabytes of data.
The federal probe has led to a significant crackdown on illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports, with over 30 individuals arrested, including figures with Mafia connections. In a separate scheme, Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups has also pleaded not guilty related to high-stakes, Mafia-backed illegal poker games. Notably, Rozier is said to have played for just over nine minutes in the mentioned game, before exiting due to a foot issue—you'll recall he did not return to play that season.
Additionally, another NBA figure entangled in this ongoing investigation is Damon Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of providing sports bettors with nonpublic information regarding injuries to high-profile players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones, an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season, stands indicted alongside Billups and others in a distinct poker-related scheme.
Consequently, both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their respective teams pending the outcomes of their legal battles. Throughout his 10-year NBA career, Rozier has amassed approximately $160 million, having been a first-round pick for the Boston Celtics in 2015 after a standout performance at the University of Louisville. Last year, he was traded to the Heat from the Hornets.
