Miami's Terry Rozier, Portland's Chauncey Billups Arrested in Gambling Investigations
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested Thursday morning at a hotel in Orlando, Fla., as part of an ongoing federal investigation into illegal gambling activity linked to NBA players and associates. The arrest occurred less than 12 hours after the Heat's season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic, a game in which Rozier did not play due to a coaching decision.
Federal officials confirmed that Rozier's case is linked to suspicious betting activity that started in March 2023, when sportsbooks noticed strange bets on his individual player statistics during a Charlotte Hornets game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Within a 46-minute window, a professional bettor placed 30 wagers totaling $13,759 on the under for Rozier's combined points, rebounds, and assists.
Rozier exited that game early, citing a foot injury after playing just 10 minutes, prompting multiple sportsbooks to suspend betting on his props.
The FBI and the Eastern District of New York are leading the investigation, which also involves Damon Jones, a former assistant coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jones is accused of providing inside information about NBA games to bettors.
Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, previously said his client cooperated with both the NBA and federal investigators and that no rule violations were initially found.
The investigation builds on previous gambling cases, including that of former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA in 2024 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to game manipulation and insider betting activity.
Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups charged
Rozier was arrested due to suspicious betting patterns, but at the same time, another case was unfolding on the other side of the country involving Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Billups was arrested in Oregon today, Oct. 23, in connection with an illegal poker operation reportedly tied to organized crime, according to federal law enforcement officials. His arrest was part of a separate but related case to the Rozier investigation, focusing on illicit gambling enterprises rather than player prop betting.
Billups, who coached Portland in its season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves the previous night, is expected to make his first court appearance later today. Sources familiar with the case told ABC News that the operation had ties to the Mafia and involved substantial sums laundered through private high-stakes poker events.
The FBI and the Eastern District of New York are working together on both investigations. Director Kash Patel will lead a press briefing where more information on the case will be released.
Billups is the Trail Blazers' head coach for the fifth year in a row. In 2024, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His career resume, spanning 17 years and a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, includes an NBA Finals MVP award and five all-star selections.
