Key Highlights
- One of his lawyers, Jim Trusty, denied the charges, saying the Ohio native was “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.”Prosecutors say Rozier conspired with friends to help them win bets on his performance in a March 2023 game when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. They say he informed the bettors that he intended to leave the game against the New Orleans Pelicans early with a supposed injury, allowing gamblers to place wagers earning them tens of thousands of dollars. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRozier played the first nine minutes and 36 seconds of the game before leaving, citing a foot issue.
- He did not play again that season. More than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports, including several Mafia figures. Rozier was one of three current or former NBA players ensnared in the investigation. Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups was among a number charged with participating in a scheme to fix high-stakes, Mafia-backed illegal poker games. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones has also been charged in that poker scheme, as well as the separate scheme to help gamblers win bets on NBA games that also implicated Rozier. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBillups and Jones pleaded not guilty during their separate arraignments last month.
- Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their team as their court cases play out. Rozier has earned about $160 million over a 10-year NBA career. He had been a first round pick for the Boston Celtics in 2015 after starring at the University of Louisville.
- Charlotte traded him to the Heat last year.___Follow Philip Marcelo at https://x. com/philmarcelo.