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Summary:
- Terry Rozier is set to be arraigned in Brooklyn on charges tied to an alleged scheme to help bettors profit from a 2023 Hornets game.
- Prosecutors say he shared plans to leave the game early, leading to tens of thousands in winning wagers.
- Rozier is one of several NBA figures swept up in a broader federal crackdown on illegal gambling.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is preparing to face a New York judge on Monday to answer federal charges accusing him of helping US sports bettors profit from wagers tied to his on-court performance.
The 31-year-old is expected in Brooklyn federal court for a formal arraignment on wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. After that, he and five other defendants will meet again for a pre-trial hearing.
This is the latest step in a case that first became public in October, when Rozier briefly appeared before a judge in Orlando. He was released with conditions at the time.
His attorney, Jim Trusty, pushed back on the allegations, saying the Ohio native was “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight”
Federal prosecutors say Rozier worked with friends to tilt bets in their favor during a March 2023 NBA game, back when he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. According to their account, Rozier told the group he planned to leave the matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans early with an injury.
That information allowed bettors to place prop bets that ended up paying out tens of thousands of dollars. Rozier played just under ten minutes before heading to the locker room, citing a foot problem, and didn’t return for the remainder of the season.
Over 30 Arrests
The case falls within a broader federal push against illegal sports betting operations that have affected professional sports more widely than many expected. Authorities say more than 30 people have been arrested so far, including individuals tied to organized crime.
Rozier is among three current or former NBA players caught up in the investigation.
Basketball Hall of Famer who is currently coaching the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups, is also facing charges tied to a separate plot involving rigged, high-stakes poker games allegedly backed by the Mafia.
Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, is also charged in the poker scheme, along with the alleged betting plot connected to Rozier’s case. Billups and Jones have pleaded not guilty. Both Billups and Rozier are currently on unpaid leave while their legal cases move forward.
Rozier’s career until now has been defined mostly by steady growth. He entered the league as a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics in 2015 after a standout run at Louisville. He’s earned roughly $160 million over ten seasons and was traded from Charlotte to Miami last year. Now, the future of his career may hinge on how the next few months unfold in court.
