New York —NBA star Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat pleaded not guilty to federal charges Monday, the last of the basketball players tied toalleged illegal-mafia linked gambling ringsto appear before a judge in a Brooklyn federal courtroom.
Rozierappeared before Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors allege the conspiracies happened between December 2022 and March 2024.
He was released on a $3 million bond secured by his home in Florida, and another property for which the court sealed the address. Rozier's attorney, James Trusty, asked the court during the arraignment for a speedy and public trial for his client.
Rozier wasarrestedin Orlando on Oct. 23 during a sweeping FBI crackdown in which 34 defendants were snagged across two federal indictments. Federal prosecutors accused Rozier of participating in a scheme which facilitated bets on NBA basketball games that allegedly took advantage of insider information related to injury reports.
The NBA placed Rozier onindefinite leaveafter the arrest. NBA Commissioner Adam Silversaidin public remarks following the arrests he was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations against several people associated with the league.
Rozier and five other defendants are accused of providing nonpublic information in exchange for a flat fee or a cut of the profits. In one game in particular, prosecutors allege, Rozier told a co-conspirator that he would fake an injury in order to leave a game early.
Federal investigators had been examiningunusual betting activityover aCharlotte HornetsandNew Orleans Pelicansgame on March 23, 2023. Rozier, who played for the Hornets before being traded to the Miami Heat in early 2024, played only 9 minutes and 34 seconds, leaving the game with right foot discomfort. At the time, the NBA said it found no evidence that Rozier violated league rules.
Rozier is not charged in the other indictment, which focuses on anelaborate cheating schemethat allegedly netted more than $7 million from rigged poker games, prosecutors said.
Rozier appeared in court Monday alongside co-defendant Deniro Laster. Prosecutors allege that Laster, a childhood friend of Rozier's, orchestrated the sharing of non-public information and bets between various gambling rings. Laster, who lives in Cleveland, was released on a $50,000 secured bond by his mother and cousin.
Both defendants surrendered their passports, agreed to travel limitations, be tested for substances and not partake in gambling, among other bond conditions.
Rozier's attorney said later in the day at a status conference that his client would appear before the NBA for arbitration in the next week and a half. He also confirmed Rozier is not currently getting paid his NBA salary, and said the federal case has caused great damage to him professionally.
Rozier's court appearance comes two weeks after NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billupspleaded not guiltyto charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in the poker case.
Former NBA player Damon Jones has been indicted in both cases. He pleadednot guiltyearlier this month in both indictments and was released on a $200,000 bond, secured by his parents' Texas home.
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