Terry Rozier was mum when asked about the investigation into unusual betting patterns surrounding his play.
It was revealed Thursday in a bombshell report from The Wall Street Journal that the Heat guard was part of a federal sports gambling probe, although he hasn’t been accused of a crime or wrongdoing.
“On advice from counsel, I can’t answer any questions about that matter,” Rozier told reporters Friday.
On March 23, 2023, Rozier, a member of the Hornets at the time, left a game after playing the first nine-plus minutes and didn’t return, citing a foot issue, which took him out for the remaining eight games of the season.
In that game, Rozier finished with five points, four rebounds and two assists in that opening period — well below his full game betting totals.
The Heat and the Hornets both referred to a statement from the NBA when asked for comment.
“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,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. “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.”
Rozier said Friday that he was “in a great headspace” despite the investigation and doesn’t expect any issues on the court going forward.
“It’s kind of always been easy. It’s kind of been my life,” Rozier said. “You know, once I get in between them lines, I can block out anything. So, it’ll be pretty easy for me. I’m around a great group of guys. We’ve got a great locker room, great staff, so it’s easy for me.”
The latest investigation comes after former Raptor Jontay Porter was banned by the NBA for life and pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy after he was found to have limited his participation in games for betting purposes.
