Terry Rozier Named in Federal Probe on Basketball Gambling Investigation

NBA guard Terry Rozier is currently being investigated by the federal government in connection with a broad basketball gambling scandal. Authorities are looking into whether Rozier altered his playing time while he was with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, according to a Wall Street Journal story. The inquiry that resulted in Jontay Porter’s NBA ban and guilty plea to wire fraud in July includes this probe.

Betting Alerts and Federal Investigation

Rozier has not been charged or formally accused of any wrongdoing. However, the investigation focuses on a March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, where unusual betting patterns triggered red flags. U.S. Integrity, a sports integrity watchdog, alerted both the NBA and sportsbooks after noticing an unusual number of bets on Rozier’s player props falling short. Several sportsbooks subsequently removed his betting lines.

During the March 23 game, Rozier played only 10 minutes before exiting with a foot injury. At that point, he had recorded five points, four rebounds, and two assists. He then missed the Hornets’ final eight games that season.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass acknowledged the situation, stating, “In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans. The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation.”

The Wall Street Journal also reported that individuals involved in Jontay Porter’s game-fixing scheme in 2024 had placed wagers on Rozier before the 2023 game in question. Investigators are now exploring possible connections between the Porter scandal and potential betting manipulation in college basketball.

Rozier’s involvement in this probe is particularly significant given his established NBA career. Unlike Porter, who was on a two-way contract, Rozier has been a consistent presence in the league since being drafted 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2015. Over his career, he has played in more than 640 games, averaging 14.1 points and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field.

Currently, Rozier is midway through a four-year, $96 million contract set to run through 2026. He has already earned over $100 million in his career. The ongoing investigation adds another layer to the NBA’s growing concerns over gambling integrity, especially as sports betting becomes more widespread.