Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier appeared in a federal court in Brooklyn, facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy related to an alleged sports betting scheme. Rozier, 31, pleaded not guilty and was released on a $3 million bond secured by his Florida home. The indictment claims Rozier collaborated with friends to influence bets on his performance in a March 2023 game with the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Prosecutors allege he informed co-conspirators of his intent to exit the game early due to a foot injury, allowing them to place wagers on his underperformance. Rozier played only nine minutes in the game, citing the injury, and the scheme reportedly involved over $200,000 in fraudulent bets.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges on constitutional grounds, with the next status conference scheduled for March 3, 2026. Following his arrest, the NBA placed Rozier on unpaid leave, leading to a grievance by the National Basketball Players Association. A former first-round pick for the Boston Celtics, Rozier is in the final year of a $96.3 million contract and has earned more than $160 million during his NBA career.
This investigation is part of a broader federal crackdown on illegal gambling tied to professional sports, which also involves Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones.
The unfolding case raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of professional sports amid increased legalization of sports betting in the U.S. Rozier’s legal team is expected to challenge the charges vigorously, emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence against him, which could have broader implications for NBA policies on player conduct and gambling.
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