Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning in Orlando, facing serious charges related to a federal sports betting and money laundering scheme. Prosecutors allege that Rozier utilized nonpublic information regarding NBA players and their injuries to place illegal wagers. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, announced that Rozier is one of six defendants involved in this significant federal case, which is linked to a broader network of illegal gambling and organized crime.
During a Thursday morning news conference, Nocella stated, "Your winning streak has ended," emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He warned that "violating the law is a losing proposition." Later that day, Rozier was released from jail after posting a $6 million bond secured by his Florida home.
Rozier faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to Nocella, Rozier and his associates are accused of deceiving sportsbooks by leveraging confidential information regarding when specific NBA players would be sidelined due to injuries or would not participate in games. This information allegedly provided them with an unfair advantage in placing bets.
FBI Director Kash Patel characterized the case as a vast criminal enterprise that blurred the boundaries between the NBA and organized crime. "This is an illegal gambling and rigging operation that spanned the course of years," Patel stated, adding that the fraud is unprecedented in its scope.
Rozier's attorney, James Trusty, criticized the circumstances surrounding the arrest, arguing that his client had cooperated with authorities and should have been permitted to surrender voluntarily. Trusty highlighted that prosecutors had previously labeled Rozier as a subject rather than a target, accusing them of seeking sensationalism rather than justice. "They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk," Trusty remarked, indicating concerns about the motivations behind the arrest.
Trusty also noted that Rozier had been cleared by the NBA during an earlier investigation and expressed confidence in his client's ability to prevail in this legal battle.
Rozier's arrest occurred just hours after the Miami Heat's season-opening game against the Orlando Magic, in which he did not participate despite being listed on the active roster. Federal authorities apprehended him at an Orlando hotel. As of now, team officials and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra have not publicly commented on the situation.
In a related development, former NBA player Damon Jones, who played for the Miami Heat in 2004, was also arrested in connection with the ongoing sports betting investigation.
In a separate but related case, 31 defendants were charged with operating illegal high-stakes poker games that were allegedly fixed using technology to manipulate outcomes. Notably, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in relation to this case. Prosecutors revealed that this operation spanned from New York to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami, involving members of notorious crime families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families.
Nocella noted that three individuals, including Jones, connect both cases, bringing the total number of defendants to 34 across the nation.
The NBA has stated that both Rozier and Billups will be placed on leave while the league cooperates with ongoing investigations. In a statement, the NBA expressed, "We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority."
Earlier this year, in a separate incident, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas was arrested for allegedly running an illegal gambling and poker ring from a California residence he owned.
Before his current situation, Terry Rozier had made a name for himself in the NBA. He spent four seasons with the Boston Celtics, earning a reputation as a tough defender and clutch playoff performer. Drafted by Boston in 2015, Rozier became a breakout star during the 2017-18 postseason, averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while helping lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. Following his time in Boston, Rozier played for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging over 19 points per game before being traded to the Miami Heat in early 2024.
