He does not admit the facts with which he is accused. Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty on Monday in New York in the illegal betting case that is shaking the world of North American basketball. The Miami Heat player appeared free.
The 31-year-old basketball player was arrested and then charged in October for participating in a rigged betting system based in particular on the sharing of confidential information from the locker room.
According to the indictment, Rozier participated in fixing at least one meeting. On March 23, 2023, he allegedly warned his childhood friend Deniro Laster, who was also prosecuted, that he planned to feign an injury against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The latter would have resold the information to several people, for total bets of 200,000 dollars placed on an underperformance of the player that evening. Starting leader, Rozier left the floor after 9 minutes of play, generating tens of thousands of dollars in winnings.
Limited travel
Appearing Monday in a New York court, the Miami player, white shirt and gray suit, pleaded not guilty to criminal conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. He was released on a $3 million personal bond, secured by his Florida home and another property, details of which have not been made public.
His travels are limited to Florida, Ohio, New York City and Long Island, near the megalopolis. He must obtain court authorization to travel elsewhere in the United States. Appearing alongside him, his childhood friend Deniro Laster also pleaded not guilty.
In October, the NBA, a North American basketball league, suspended Terry Rozier as well as Portland coach Chauncey Billups, who was also involved in this affair alongside around thirty people, including members of the Sicilian mafia in New York.
In January 2025, this same league indicated that it had investigated “unusual bets” linked to Rozier since 2023, but had found “no violation of the regulations”. After his indictment in October, the player received “the full support” of his team through his captain, Bam Adebayo.
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