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Terry Rozier’s lawyers have asked a judge to drop the betting charges as he faces prison time.
The NBA player was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering due to his alleged involvement in illegal sports gambling.
Rozier was arrested for his alleged involvement in a 2023 game in which he played less than 10 minutes, citing a foot injury. Several people placed high stakes on Rozier to perform poorly before the match, all of which won.
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Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, District of Columbia, March 31, 2025. (Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images)
Rozier’s lawyers argued that the government’s theory of the case — that it prevented sportsbooks from making informed decisions about accepting certain bets — runs counter to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed federal wire fraud law.
“The government characterized this matter as ‘insider betting’ and ‘fixing’ of professional basketball games,” Rozier’s attorneys, James M. Trusty and A. Jeff Ifrah, wrote in the motion. “But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some bettors violated certain sportsbooks’ terms of service against betting based on nonpublic information and ‘straw bets.’
Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier leaves Brooklyn federal court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Trusty told PK Press Club shortly after his client’s arrest that Rozier “told a friend” he would pull out of a game early, which is “not a crime.” Trusty said Rozier was dealing with a “chronic injury,” but Rozier was not listed on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report before the game.
Neither Hornets officials nor the betting companies were informed of Rozier’s plan, according to the Justice Department.
Earlier this month, Rozier pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Rozier was one of more than 30 people, along with NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, who were part of the FBI’s investigations into alleged illegal gambling with ties to the La Cosa Nostra crime families. Billups and Jones allegedly participated in rigged poker games, while Jones also allegedly leaked non-public information about NBA games so his relatives could bet with a competitive advantage.
Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal gambling. (Jaime Valdez/Imagn Images, Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their teams while their trials proceed.
