NBA Player Terry Rozier Pleads Not Guilty in Sports Betting Case

The Miami Heat guard was released on a $3 million bond.

Terry Rozier (2) of the Miami Heat drives against Amen Thompson (1) of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 29, 2024. Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty on Dec. 8 to charges stemming from a sports betting case.

Rozier, who was arrested on Oct. 23, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was released on a $3 million bond.

On March 23, 2023, the Charlotte Hornets, Rozier’s team at the time, were playing the New Orleans Pelicans. According to the indictment, Rozier allegedly informed co-defendant Deniro Laster that he was going to remove himself from the game early due to a supposed injury and not return.

This, the indictment alleged, was to allow Laster to place wagers based on the non-public information that Rozier would underperform. Laster, in turn, allegedly sold this information to multiple co-conspirators and financially benefited from their fraudulent winnings. Co-defendant Shane Hennen allegedly placed a $61,200 bet on Rozier’s unders. Other conspirators allegedly placed similar bets.

Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, has said that his client is innocent.

“Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight,” he said on Oct. 23.

Hennen and Laster pleaded not guilty.

FBI Director Kash Patel weighed in on the charges.

“Using private information and positions of power to rig sports gambling outcomes is not only illegal, but destroys the integrity of the game and will never be tolerated. We will continue following the money to ensure gambling operations of all kinds stay within the law and bring to justice those who take advantage of innocent victims,” said Patel in an Oct. 23 Department of Justice statement.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said in the statement: “Rigging a professional basketball game for personal profit is as immoral as it is illegal.

“The fact that some players altered their performance or took themselves out of games to ensure these bets paid out is an offense to every player and fan.”

Rozier is not the only NBA figure alleged to have been involved in a sports gambling scheme.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was charged in connection with a rigged poker operation allegedly run by the Genovese, Gambino, and Bonanno crime families. He has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones was charged in both schemes.

The Heat previously declined to comment and referred The Epoch Times to the NBA statement, which said that Billups and Rozier have been put on leave from their teams. The NBA also said it is reviewing the indictments. The league earlier conducted its own investigation of Rozier and did not find Rozier in violation of its rules.

In addition to the Heat and Hornets, Rozier played for the Boston Celtics, suiting up for them between 2015 and 2019.