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nba Guard Terry Rozier averaged nearly 21 points per game charlotte The 2022-23 season is nearing an end. But during a game against New Orleans PelicansHe scored only 5 and played less than 10 minutes before claiming he had an injury.
Injury? According to an indictment unsealed by a federal grand jury in New York on Thursday, it was fake and fabricated as part of a scheme to help sports bettors.
That episode is at the center of a stunning scandal that has rocked the NBA. Rozier, a friend and others were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
It also shows how to take advantage of the increasingly popular “prop bets” with insider knowledge of the locker room. Such bookmakers do not place bets on the outcome of the game. Rather, they bet money on individual player statistics.
Before the Hornets-Pelicans game, Rozier told a longtime friend that he was “prematurely removing himself from the game in the first quarter due to an alleged injury and will not return,” the indictment states.
This meant that bettors who knew Rozier was staying on the bench could easily bet that his point total would be lower than his usual average. On the other hand, gamblers who took the “over” without any inside information were out of the money when they bet that he would score more than 21 points.
Rozier’s friend, Deniro “Nero” Lester, shared the information with others who placed prop bets totaling more than $250,000 — and it paid off, according to the indictment.
The indictment says Laster collected thousands of dollars from people who cashed in the inside information and then went to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he “counted the money” a week later.
The indictment describes several unnamed NBA players whose availability for certain games was the source of betting activity. Those players are not accused of wrongdoing, and there is no indication they are even aware of what is being said about their playing status.
Those players include Lebron JamesAnthony Davis and Damian Lillard. His identity is clear based on a review of injury reports from the games cited in the indictment. The indictments reveal that certain defendants shared information about players’ availability on March 24, 2023, including portland trail blazersand two games involving the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and 2024.
Damon Jones, who was an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022–23, was also charged. He is accused of sharing non-public information about the status of players at two Lakers games.
In the 2023 game, Jones is accused of sending a message to others that a certain player who was not on the injury report would still miss the game due to a lower body injury. LeBron James, who was previously listed as questionable, did not play due to an ankle problem.
“Bet big on Milwaukee tonight before the info comes out!”. Jones said in a text, according to the indictment.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, said Rozier is “not a gambler” and “is eager to win this fight.”
It was not immediately known whether Laster or Jones had attorneys who could comment on the allegations.
The National Basketball Players Association said it would do everything possible to protect its members, including Rozier.
“The integrity of the game is paramount for NBA players, but the presumption of innocence is also paramount, and both are hindered when a player’s popularity is abused to attract attention,” the union said.
Rozier now plays for the Miami Heat. Separately, Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame member Chauncey Billups was accused of participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons that were supported by the La Cosa Nostra organized crime families. A message seeking comment was left with Billups.
FanDuel, one of the largest sportsbooks, released a statement expressing its concern about the indictment.
“Today’s events are deeply troubling and should concern fans, athletes and everyone who loves sports and values integrity and fair play,” FanDuel said.