In a significant development shaking the world of professional basketball, multiple individuals with ties to the sport and organized crime have been arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports betting activities linked to the NBA, as well as an illicit poker operation. Among those implicated is Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, whose alleged involvement in a betting scheme has drawn widespread attention and raised serious questions about the integrity of the game.
The Miami Heat organization quickly responded to Rozier’s arrest by expressing “full support” for the player. Rozier, who was arrested following accusations that he deliberately faked an injury during a March 23, 2023, game while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, is alleged to have conspired with friends and co-conspirators to manipulate prop bets placed on his performance. Specifically, Rozier is accused of feigning an injury to ensure that wagers on the “under” for his points scored would pay off. This scheme reportedly involved a coordinated effort to exploit betting markets without the knowledge of Hornets officials or the betting companies themselves.
Rozier’s arrest came shortly after he did not participate in the Miami Heat’s season opener, and the NBA promptly placed him on leave pending further investigation. The timing of these events sent shockwaves through the Heat’s locker room and the broader NBA community. At a team shootaround following Rozier’s absence, Heat captain Bam Adebayo expressed the emotional impact of losing his teammate, stating, “You support him through and through. That’s our brother at the end of the day.” Adebayo noted that Rozier’s absence was palpable, as Rozier was typically the first person he would speak with each morning and was known for bringing positive energy to the team.
Supporting these sentiments, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized Rozier’s importance to both the team’s dynamics and morale. Spoelstra acknowledged Rozier’s positive influence in the locker room, even during periods when Rozier was not a regular part of the rotation. Despite the gravity of the allegations, Spoelstra expressed empathy and conveyed the team’s care for Rozier as he navigates the legal challenges ahead. However, he also highlighted the necessity for the team to move forward, underscoring the relentless pace of the NBA season: “The league doesn’t wait. It doesn’t stop for you. … You have to learn how to compartmentalize and focus on the most immediate thing, and that’s preparing for an important game tonight.”
Indeed, the Heat showed resilience by delivering a commanding 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies that same night, a performance that demonstrated their determination to maintain focus amid turmoil.
Details from the Department of Justice indictment reveal the mechanics of the alleged scheme. Rozier’s supposed injury was not reported on the team’s injury list, and neither the Hornets nor betting companies were informed of the deception. The scheme allegedly involved Deniro Laster, who is accused of selling the inside information about Rozier’s fabricated injury to other conspirators. These individuals then placed bets totaling approximately $200,000 on Rozier’s “under” prop bets, both in parlays and straight wagers. Rozier’s limited playing time—just nine minutes before exiting the game—enabled these bets to pay off successfully. The indictment further alleges that Rozier and Laster physically counted their cash winnings at Rozier’s home in Charlotte about a week after the game, underscoring the premeditated and coordinated nature of the fraud.
Rozier’s legal troubles are compounded by the arrest of Chauncey Billups, a former NBA player and current coach, who has been implicated in an illegal poker ring connected to the larger investigation. Both Rozier and Billups face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In response, the NBA has placed both individuals on immediate leave from their respective teams and pledged continued cooperation with law enforcement authorities. The league reiterated that protecting the integrity of the game remains its highest priority.
The FBI’s investigation into illegal sports betting and gambling rings within the NBA highlights ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of professional sports to illicit activities that can undermine fair competition and public trust. The involvement of high-profile individuals like Rozier and Billups has brought renewed scrutiny to the issue of gambling in sports, a problem that leagues around the world have been grappling with as betting becomes increasingly accessible and widespread.
Legal experts and commentators have weighed in on the situation. Michele Tafoya, a well-known