Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press. The specific charges have not yet been announced, and both the NBA and the Miami Heat have declined to comment at this time.
Rozier was taken into custody in Orlando early Thursday morning after being in uniform, but not playing, during the Heat’s game against the Magic the previous evening. Billups’ arrest was also reported by one of the sources. The ongoing investigation is being led by the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which previously prosecuted former NBA player Jontay Porter for his involvement in a betting scandal.
The investigation into Rozier reportedly centers around a March 23, 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. In that game, Rozier played less than 10 minutes before leaving due to a foot issue and did not play for the remainder of the season. At the time, Charlotte was already out of playoff contention, so Rozier’s absence did not raise immediate suspicions. However, bettors voiced concerns on social media about the abrupt nature of his exit and its impact on prop bets involving his performance that night.
FBI Director Kash Patel, along with other law enforcement officials, is expected to provide further details at a scheduled news conference. The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of sports betting in professional basketball, with the NBA continuing to investigate similar incidents, including those involving former player Malik Beasley.