Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges in a Brooklyn court on Monday. He was released on a $3 million bond following allegations of providing insider information for sports bets during his time with the Charlotte Hornets. The case involves over 30 defendants linked to illegal gambling operations, including NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, 31, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday and entered a not guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The allegations stem from activities between December 2022 and March 2024, where prosecutors claim Rozier conspired with others to facilitate bets on NBA games using non-public information, such as injury reports.
Rozier was arrested on October 23 in Orlando, Florida, as part of a broader FBI investigation that charged 34 defendants across two indictments tied to sports betting and illegal gambling rings involving Mafia figures. He was released on a $3 million bond secured by his Florida home and another property. Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky imposed conditions including no gambling, no possession of firearms, no contact with victims, co-defendants, or witnesses, surrender of his passport, and travel restricted to Florida, Ohio, and New York.
Central to the charges is a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, when Rozier played for Charlotte. Prosecutors allege Rozier informed co-defendant De'Niro Laster, a childhood friend, that he would leave the game early due to a supposed injury. Rozier played approximately 9 to 10 minutes before exiting with right foot discomfort and did not return for the season. This led to over $200,000 in prop bets on his points, rebounds, and assists, with gamblers profiting tens of thousands.
Co-defendant De'Niro Laster also pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. The NBA placed Rozier on indefinite unpaid leave after his arrest, though a prior league investigation found no rules violations. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed being "deeply disturbed" by the allegations.
Other NBA figures implicated include Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who pleaded not guilty on November 24 to similar charges in a separate rigged poker scheme and has been suspended without pay; he recently listed his Oregon home for sale. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded not guilty on November 6 to charges in both the betting and poker cases, released on $200,000 bond. Jones is accused of relaying insider information on Los Angeles Lakers games involving LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
A next procedural hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2026, with a trial potentially starting by September 2026. Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, denied the charges, stating Rozier is "not a gambler" and plans a motion to dismiss based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.
