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Terry Rozier’s lawyers have asked a judge to throw out the betting charges as he faces prison time.
The NBA player was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering stemming from his alleged involvement in illegal sports gambling.
Rozier was arrested for his alleged involvement stemming from a 2023 game in which he played less than 10 minutes, citing a foot injury. Several people placed high stakes on Rozier to perform poorly before the game, which everyone won.
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Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) handles the ball in the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, District of Columbia on March 31, 2025. (Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images)
Rozier’s lawyers argued that the government’s theory of the case — that he prevented sportsbooks from making informed decisions about accepting certain bets — runs afoul of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal statute of frauds.
“The government has billed this case to involve ‘insider betting’ and ‘fixing’ of professional basketball games,” Rozier’s attorneys, James M. Trusty and A. Jeff Ifrah, wrote in the motion. “But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some players violated certain sportsbooks’ terms of use against bets based on non-public information and ‘straw bets.'”
Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier leaves Brooklyn federal court Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Trusty told Pakinomist shortly after his client’s arrest that Rozier “told a friend” he was going to take himself out of a game early, which is “not a crime.” Trusty said Rozier was dealing with a “chronic injury,” but Rozier had not been placed on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report before the game.
Neither Hornets officials nor betting companies were made aware of Rozier’s plan, according to the Justice Department.
Earlier this month, Rozier pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Rozier was one of more than 30 people, along with NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, who were part of FBI investigations into alleged illegal gambling associated with the La Cosa Nostra crime families. Billups and Jones allegedly participated in rigged poker games, while Jones also allegedly leaked non-public information about NBA games so those close to him could place bets with a competitive advantage.
Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal gambling. (Jaime Valdez/Imagn Images, Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their teams while their lawsuits play out.
