BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty Monday to charges alleging he deliberately underperformed in at least one NBA game to benefit a network of gamblers. The 31-year-old former Louisville star was released on a $3 million bond, secured by his South Florida home, and is prohibited from gambling in person or online as part of his bond conditions.
Rozier is accused of leaving a 2023 game early with a fabricated injury, allowing over $200,000 placed on his “under” props to cash out after he played just nine minutes. Prosecutors charged him with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence. His attorney, James Trusty, waived a public reading of the charges and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Trusty described the case as putting Rozier in a “unique situation,” noting the investigation leak has prevented him from playing basketball and earning income. The attorney plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges, though the court denied a request to expedite the trial due to the large volume of evidence expected.
The allegedly rigged game occurred on March 23, 2023, when Rozier played for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans. The NBA previously investigated the game but found no rule violations. According to the indictment, Rozier told childhood friend and co-defendant Deniro Laster of his plan to exit early, and Laster allegedly shared that information with other bettors. Laster was arraigned alongside Rozier, pleaded not guilty to the same charges, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Rozier is also charged alongside retired NBA player Damon Jones, accused of providing insider information to certain bettors using his league connections. Jones pleaded not guilty last month. The indictments are part of larger federal investigations involving more than 30 individuals tied to illegal gambling schemes in professional sports, including Portland Trail Blazers coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups. Rozier was not implicated in the poker-related charges involving Billups.
Selected in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Rozier was traded to the Miami Heat in 2024. The trade is now under scrutiny as the Heat were reportedly unaware of the prior investigation into Rozier. Both Rozier and Billups have been placed on unpaid leave by their teams while their federal cases proceed. Rozier’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 3, 2026.