The NBA said it investigated “unusual betting activity’’ related to Terry Rozier in 2023 and did not find a violation of league rules. But now Rozier has been charged in the Eastern District of New York as part of a federal probe into illegal sports betting.
The outcome of the two investigations drew interest after Rozier was arrested Oct. 23.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the operation, though they are facing different charges. Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave by the NBA.
The NBA had initially cleared Rozier following its own investigation. On Jan. 30 2025, news of the investigation in the Eastern District of New York first came to light. At that point, the NBA said it would cooperate with federal authorities.
“In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans,’ NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed to USA TODAY Sports at the time. ‘The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation.”
NBA spokesman Mike Bass, when asked about the different outcomes of the two investigations, told USA TODAY Sports by email, ‘The NBA does not have the same authority or investigatory resources as the federal government, including subpoena power to obtain information from anyone, law enforcement surveillance, wire-tapping, and search warrants.”
Ismail J. Ramsey, a former U.S. Attorney, said the federal government’s decision to indict Rozier could be wrong. But he also stressed the subpoena power granted to governments but not private entities can prove to be significant.
Ramsey pointed out that with subpoena power federal investigators are able to obtain text messages, bank records and phone records. And so the government could know things an employer doesn’t.
‘(Federal investigators) can bring other witnesses in to talk to who may cooperate because they’re worried about their own future,” Ramsey said. ‘I mean the NBA can’t necessarily do those things. (The NBA) definitely can’t call to get the cooperation of witnesses whom aren’t NBA employees or tied to the NBA, whereas feds could subpoena someone or just ask for their cooperation.”
Rozier is accused faking an injury in 2023 as part of an illegal betting scheme when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. The scheme was designed to allow gamblers to make money off a prop bet related to Rozier’s performance in a game.
The game in question took place on March 23, 2023. Rozier played for the first nine minutes and 36 seconds before leaving the game. He cited a foot injury and did not play in the final eight games of the season.
Rozier, a 31-year-old point guard, is a member of the Miami Heat and in his 11th NBA season. He did not play in the Heat’s season opener on Wednesday, Oct. 22. He has averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his NBA career.
Jim Trusty, an attorney representing Rozier, said ‘Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case.’’