Former NBA guard Terry Rozier has formally pleaded not guilty to additional federal charges related to an alleged betting scheme and a judge has set his trial for early 2027. The latest move adds to an already complicated legal battle that has cast doubt on the player’s professional future.
Rozier Faces Fraud Conspiracy Charges, Enters Not Guilty Plea
Rozier was arraigned in Brooklyn on new charges of sports bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, to which he pleaded not guilty. The charges arise from an alleged scheme in which the player accepted a large payment in exchange for providing inside information to gamblers, authorities say.
Prosecutors said the case centers around a game in March 2023 when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets roster. Investigators think he conspired with associates to signal that he would step back from the matchup. He left the game after a short period on the court, scoring well below his usual statistical output. It is claimed that this enabled those with the inside track to successfully bet on lower figures than those achieved.
The agreement, they said, called for a six-figure payment, but the bottom line could be lowered depending on the outcome of certain bets. Prosecutors say the scheme tainted the integrity of professional basketball and defrauded betting platforms, but Rozier’s defense team says there is no solid evidence in the case, and it is largely based on questionable testimony.
NBA Future Unclear as Rozier Battles Charges and Restrictions
The 32-year-old athlete already faces earlier charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering, which he also denies. His lawyers have challenged the legal basis of the case and are preparing additional motions to dismiss the expanded indictment.
Meanwhile, the terms of Rozier’s release remain a subject of debate. There is debate over a restriction that stops him from contacting his former team, with his representatives saying it stops him from being able to take opportunities in the league. However, prosecutors contend the NBA and Hornets are also victims in the case and support maintaining the limitation.
The presiding judge has asked for input from the NBA before deciding whether those restrictions should be eased. The league has not yet released a statement on the matter.
Rozier’s situation has also had financial implications. Internal disputes and arbitration left him unable to meet contractual obligations, and he lost a large part of his salary.
The broader probe into the alleged gambling racket continues to grow, with multiple defendants and connections to organized betting activity. With several people having already entered pleas of guilty, the focus now turns to the upcoming trial, where Rozier is expected to mount a full defense to the charges.