NBA star pleads not guilty to federal gambling conspiracy charges in court

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Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering related to an illegal gambling scheme he allegedly took part in. The 31-year-old point guard formally entered the plea during his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court Monday.

Rozier was arrested for his alleged involvement stemming from a game in 2023 in which he played fewer than 10 minutes, citing a foot injury. Multiple people placed high-stakes wagers on Rozier to perform poorly before the game, all of whom won.

Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, admitted to Fox News Digital shortly after his client's arrest that Rozier "told a friend" he would 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.

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Miami Heat's Terry Rozier leaves Brooklyn federal court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

However, Rozier is alleged to have told a childhood friend, Deniro Laster, that he would take himself out of a game early, citing an injury so Laster could place wagers based on the information. Neither Hornets officials nor betting companies were made aware of Rozier's plan, according to the indictment.

Laster then allegedly sold that information to other co-conspirators, and numerous people placed wagers totaling roughly $200,000 on Rozier's "under" prop bets to hit in both parlay and straight wagers. After Rozier played just nine minutes and never returned, the bets won. Rozier and Laster counted cash winnings at