Miami Heat basketball player Terry Rozier has pleaded not guilty to allegations of assisting in illegal gambling activities related to his NBA performances. The 31-year-old point guard entered the plea during his arraignment in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, where he faced wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Rozier was released on a $3 million bond backed by his Florida home.
According to prosecutors, Rozier collaborated with acquaintances to manipulate bets on his performance during a game in March 2023 while he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. During the arraignment, Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky instructed Rozier not to engage in gambling activities, possess firearms, or have any contact with the case’s victims, co-defendants, and witnesses. Additionally, Rozier surrendered his passport and was restricted to traveling between Florida, Ohio, and New York with prior approval.
Appearing in a gray suit, Rozier remained silent in court except to respond to the judge’s inquiries. His attorney, Jim Trusty, declined to comment after the brief hearing. Rozier was scheduled to attend a pretrial hearing with his co-defendants, their lawyers, and prosecutors later that day. Previously, Rozier denied the charges through his attorney, claiming he was not a gambler and was prepared to contest the accusations.
In a significant federal crackdown on illegal gambling operations tied to professional sports, more than 30 individuals, including several Mafia members, have been arrested. NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, currently a coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, has also pleaded not guilty in a separate case involving fixing high-stakes poker games associated with the Mafia.
Prosecutors allege that Rozier informed bettors of his intention to exit a game against the New Orleans Pelicans early due to a fake injury, enabling gamblers to place bets that resulted in substantial earnings. Rozier played only a short period in the game before leaving, citing a foot problem, and did not participate further in the season.
Another NBA personality implicated in the investigation is Damon Jones, who recently pleaded not guilty to charges of disclosing confidential injury information about LeBron James and Anthony Davis while unofficially assisting the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff during the 2022-2023 season. Jones, a former NBA player, is also linked to the poker scheme along with Billups and others.
As their legal proceedings unfold, both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their respective teams. Rozier, who has amassed approximately $160 million during his decade-long NBA career, was initially drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2015 after excelling at the University of Louisville before being traded to the Miami Heat by the Charlotte Hornets last year.