Federal prosecutors are investigating Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat over potential alterations to his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme. This inquiry forms part of a broader investigation into a group of gamblers accused of rigging sporting events, which has already led to felony charges against Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors and his lifetime ban from the NBA.
The focus on Rozier stems from unusual betting activity that occurred during a game on March 23, 2023, between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. After just ten minutes on the court, Rozier left the game with a foot injury, contributing five points to the Hornets’ 115-96 defeat. The game raised enough red flags for U.S. Integrity, an organization monitoring betting markets, which prompted sports books to halt betting on Rozier’s performance due to suspicious wagers on him failing to meet certain statistical thresholds.
In a statement, NBA spokesman Mike Bass remarked that while the league was alerted to unusual betting activity involving Rozier, its own investigation did not reveal any violations of NBA rules. The NBA is now cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York regarding this matter.
Additionally, the investigation into Rozier also intersects with potential misconduct in college basketball, with former Temple player Hysier Miller under scrutiny for betting on games he played in. Notably, games involving Temple attracted attention for irregular wagering patterns, particularly one against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In light of these developments, major sports betting partners, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, have decided to prohibit bets related to the lowest-paid players or those on short-term contracts following the recent issues linked to point-shaving and performance manipulation.
Rozier, who was a first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics in 2016, has had a career that includes stints with the Celtics, Hornets, and currently the Heat, after transitioning to Miami in January 2024. While he has not yet been charged in connection with the investigation, authorities are continuing to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the March game.
This ongoing probe into sports integrity highlights the increasing complexity and risks associated with gambling in professional sports, urging leagues and partners to enhance measures to protect the credibility of their games.