Copyright CBS Sports
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested on Thursday morning in relation to an FBI sports betting investigation, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. According to ABC News, Rozier is among six people that have been charged in the case. Meanwhile, Billups was arrested in connection with an investigation into illegal gambling, but not in games that he coached, according to a report from NBC News. FBI director Kash Patel is expected to announce all of the charges during a press conference on Thursday morning. Rozier was arrested at a hotel in Orlando, Florida on Thursday morning. The Heat were in town to play the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in a game that Rozier didn't play in due to a coach's decision. On March, 23, 2023, sportsbooks in multiple states flagged an unusual in betting activity in relation to Rozier's statistical props prior to a game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Hornets. In the span of 46 minutes, there were 30 wagers from a professional sports bettor that totaled $13,759 on the under for Rozier's points, rebounds, and assists, which caused several sportsbooks to close down betting on Rozier's statistics. Rozier, who played for the Hornets at the time, played just 10 minutes before leaving the contest due to a foot injury. Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, had previously informed ESPN that Rozier met with FBI and NBA officials on multiple occasions in 2023 when the initial investigation began. Rozier maintained his innocence in relation to the case. The case involved former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA in 2024 for his role in a sports betting scandal that was focused on his prop bets. Porter ended up pleading guilty to conspiracy charges and is currently awaiting sentencing in the case. Porter and three other men have since pleaded guilty in the case. Rozier didn't play for the Hornets following the March, 23, 2023 game that season and was traded to the Heat in January 2024. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 64 games with the Heat in 2024-25.
