Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has pleaded not guilty to two federal charges connected to an alleged illegal sports betting scheme, marking the latest development in a wide-ranging investigation involving multiple NBA figures.
Rozier appeared in Brooklyn federal court on 8 December, where he entered his plea and was released on a $3m bond secured by his Florida home.
Rozier faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, stemming from an October indictment issued by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Prosecutors allege that Rozier provided advance notice that he would exit a March 2023 game early while playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
According to the indictment, co-defendant Deniro Laster then relayed that information to bettors, who used it as part of a wider wagering network. Both Rozier and Laster have denied the allegations.
During a subsequent status hearing, Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, urged the court for a speedy resolution, noting that the case has been "professionally devastating" for the player.
Rozier has been on unpaid administrative leave since October, a decision the National Basketball Players Association is challenging in an upcoming arbitration hearing.
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall stressed that NBA proceedings would not influence the federal case timeline.
Rozier, Laster and four additional defendants - including former NBA player and coach Damon Jones - are scheduled to return to court on 3 March 2026. Prosecutors expect to produce more than 1,000 documents and 55GB of financial, communications and betting records as part of discovery, after which plea discussions may begin.
The case forms part of a broader federal crackdown on illegal gambling activity. In October, authorities announced 31 arrests - among them Rozier, Jones and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups - following a multi-year FBI investigation into alleged insider betting and rigged poker operations.
In 2024, NBA player Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban after being found to have shared insider information
