By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers have been detained, as reported by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania.
Confirming arrests made upon an FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and gambling, the Eastern District of New York and FBI director Kash Patel will hold a press conference later Thursday, at 16:00 CET.
Rozier, 30, was arrested early Thursday morning at a hotel in Orlando. On Wednesday evening, the Ohio native did not play for the Miami Heat in the opener of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season opposite the Orlando Magic in Kia Center, despite being medically cleared from a hamstring strain.
Suspicious betting interest in Rozier’s stats ahead of a game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans was flagged. Among others, a professional bettor placed 30 wagers in 46 minutes, totaling $13,759. The player lasted ten minutes before an early exit due to a foot injury.
After two NCAA seasons with Louisville under the guidance of Rick Pitino, Rozier was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 15th overall pick of the 2015 draft. From four years with the C’s to the Hornets from 2019 to 2024, he was traded to the Heat midway through the 2023-24 season.
Billups, 49, was arrested in Oregon as part of a separate but related illegal gambling case linked to an illegal poker operation tied to the mafia, per ABC News. The former NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons as the Finals MVP in 2004 has been the head coach of the Blazers since 2021.