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[Saba Sports News] The NBA released a statement Thursday addressing a shocking report that connects Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier to the illegal betting scheme that resulted in Jontay Porter’s lifetime ban.
According to The Wall Street Journal, federal investigators are probing whether Rozier deliberately altered his performance in a game during the 2022-23 season as part of a sports betting operation. The game in question occurred on March 23, 2023, when Rozier, then with the Charlotte Hornets, played just 10 minutes in a 115-96 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans before exiting with a foot injury. He missed the final eight games of the season.
While Rozier has not been directly accused of wrongdoing, reports indicate that members of the gambling ring linked to Porter had also placed significant bets against Rozier before that game.
Shortly after the WSJ report surfaced, the NBA confirmed that it had previously conducted an internal investigation into Rozier and found no rule violations. However, the league is now assisting federal authorities in their ongoing inquiry.
“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 NBA’s statement read.
Rozier’s name has surfaced amid the fallout from Porter’s betting scandal, which led to his permanent ban from the NBA last April.
Investigators found Porter had placed bets against his own team and provided confidential information to gamblers. He later pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, reportedly in an attempt to erase a large gambling debt.
Rozier, who was traded to Miami last year in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a draft pick, has two years remaining on his four-year, $96 million contract. The 30-year-old is currently averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his first full season with the Heat.