NBA Rocked by Betting Scandal: Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups Among Those Arrested
A federal investigation into sports betting has ensnared prominent NBA figures, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, raising serious questions about the integrity of the league. The arrests, reported Thursday, come as the NBA grapples with increasing scrutiny over potential gambling-related misconduct.
The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn – the same office that previously prosecuted former NBA player Jontay Porter – centers around allegations of illegal sports wagering. According to reports from the Associated Press, Rozier and Billups were taken into custody early Thursday morning.
Rozier reportedly suited up for the Heat’s game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night but did not play. He was arrested in Orlando. A message left with Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, has not yet been returned. However, Trusty previously stated to ESPN that an initial investigation in 2023 cleared Rozier of any wrongdoing after interviews with NBA and FBI investigators.
Billups’ involvement remains less clear, but the arrests signal a widening probe into potential breaches of league rules. The NBA has not yet issued a formal statement but has confirmed a previous investigation into Rozier and an ongoing investigation into former Detroit player Malik Beasley.
The case echoes the recent scandal involving Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty to charges related to disclosing confidential medical information to facilitate illegal betting. Porter admitted to leaving games early, falsely claiming illness or injury, allowing bettors to profit from wagers based on his limited playing time.
One game specifically under scrutiny involves Rozier’s performance on March 23, 2023, during a matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier played just nine minutes and 36 seconds of that game, citing a foot problem, and did not play again for the remainder of the season. While the Hornets were not in playoff contention, the abrupt end to Rozier’s season raised eyebrows among some bettors.
Online posts from that night reveal frustration from gamblers who felt the sportsbooks were slow to react to the news of Rozier’s early exit. Many expressed suspicion that something “suspicious” had occurred regarding bets placed on his game statistics.
Adding another layer to the investigation, former basketball player Damon Jones, who briefly played for the Quebradillas Pirates in Puerto Rico’s National Superior Basketball league in 2010, was also arrested.
FBI Director Kash Patel and other officials are expected to provide further details at a news conference Thursday. The unfolding situation casts a shadow over the NBA and raises concerns about the potential for further revelations as the investigation continues.
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A photograph from 2006 shows Chauncey Billups during a friendly match between the Heat and Pistons at the José Miguel Agrelot Puerto Rico Coliseum. (Ramon ” Tonito ” Zayas / STAFF)
