Miami Heat player Terry Rozier has entered a plea of not guilty to accusations of assisting individuals in placing bets on his performance in NBA games. The 31-year-old point guard made the plea during his arraignment in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Rozier was released on a $3 million US bond secured by his Florida home.
According to prosecutors, Rozier allegedly collaborated with friends to manipulate bets on his performance during a March 2023 game while playing for the Charlotte Hornets. During the arraignment, Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky instructed Rozier not to engage in gambling activities, possess firearms, or have contact with victims, co-defendants, or witnesses. Additionally, Rozier, a native of Ohio, surrendered his passport and is limited to travel between Florida, Ohio, and New York with prior approval.
At the hearing, Rozier, dressed in a gray suit, only responded to the judge’s questions with “yes” or “no.” Both he and his lawyer, Jim Trusty, chose not to provide comments following the brief proceeding. Rozier was anticipated to attend a pretrial hearing with his five co-defendants, their legal representatives, and prosecutors later that day. His legal counsel previously refuted the allegations, asserting that Rozier is not a gambler and is prepared to contest the charges.
In a separate but related development, numerous individuals, including Mafia affiliates, have been arrested in a widespread federal crackdown on illicit gambling operations associated with professional sports. NBA Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has also pleaded not guilty in a distinct case related to rigged, high-stakes poker games backed by the Mafia.
Prosecutors claim that Rozier informed bettors of his intention to exit a game against the New Orleans Pelicans prematurely due to an alleged injury, enabling them to place wagers that resulted in substantial winnings. Rozier played for just over nine minutes in the game before departing with a reported foot issue and did not participate in any further games that season.
Another NBA figure implicated in the investigation is Damon Jones, who recently pleaded not guilty to allegations of providing sports bettors with privileged information regarding injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis while serving as an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season. Jones, a former NBA player, is also involved in the aforementioned poker scheme alongside Billups and others.
As their legal proceedings progress, both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave by 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 a successful collegiate career at the University of Louisville. Last year, he was traded to the Miami Heat from the Charlotte Hornets.
