Rozier Pleads Not Guilty to New Charges as Trial Date Set

• Former NBA player Terry Rozier pleads not guilty to new charges tied to gambling scandal
• Trial scheduled for Feb. 8, 2027
• Rozier seeks changes to bail conditions in bid to return to the NBA

Embattled NBA player Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty this week in Brooklyn federal court to new sports bribery and wire fraud conspiracy charges tied to his alleged role in an illegal sports betting scheme.

Sports Bribery Charges

Rozier has been the center of illegal gambling allegations since his arrest last October on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The allegations are that he pulled himself out of an NBA game in March 2023 as a member of the Charlotte Hornets, tipping off gamblers so that co-conspirators could win bets. Rozier has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The new charges allege Rozier also agreed to a $100,000 bribe to order to manipulate his performance in the same 2023 Hornets game.

Trial Date Set for February

Following the plea hearing Wednesday, a U.S. District Court judge set a trial date of Feb. 8, 2027.

Rozier was released by the Miami Heat on April 10, after having been traded there by the Hornets in January 2024.

During the plea hearing this week, Rozier and his representatives asked the judge to modify his bail conditions that prevent him from having contact with the NBA or the Hornets.

Prosecutors want the order to remain in place, arguing that Rozier and co-conspirators devised a scheme to defraud the Hornets and the NBA of the right of Rozier’s honest services, and are victims of Rozier’s crime.

Rozier Wants Bail Conditions Eased

Rozier, now a free agent, would be looking for a path back to the NBA. The restriction would make it difficult or impossible for another NBA team to sign him since the Hornets play every NBA team during the season. Rozier is a 32-year-old guard, who in 64 games with the Heat in 2024-25 averaged 10.6 points per game, with a 39.1 field goal percentage.

“The NBA literally has flagrantly fouled the presumption of innocence,” said Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, after the court appearance this week, according to ESPN.

“They should be ashamed of themselves. As you heard from the hearing today [Wednesday], they’re still trying to find ways to pretend they’re a victim and that Terry should be prohibited from playing basketball, at least practically speaking,” Rozier’s lawyers added.

Earlier this month, an arbitrator ruled that Rozier must forfeit most of his USD $26.6 million contract with the Heat for 2025-26 season, since he had violated the contract by not playing for the team.