NBA arrests 34 in mafia-linked gambling probe including Terry Rozier injury rigging

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been implicated in a significant NBA gambling scandal involving the manipulation of his in-game performance to benefit bettors. In a 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier allegedly faked an injury to exit early, enabling bets on his under performance to pay out, with wagers exceeding $259,000 connected to him. This scheme was uncovered after sportsbooks flagged suspicious betting patterns on Rozier's under props, which led to the NBA pulling him from play for the rest of the season. Rozier, alongside others including former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned for life after pleading guilty to related charges, is part of a wider conspiracy involving multiple individuals benefiting from inside information about player availability and performance. The FBI's investigation, culminating in Rozier's arrest and the detention of 34 individuals, revealed a network exploiting confidential NBA information for illegal betting, with some players allegedly altering their performance or exiting games to influence betting outcomes. Authorities emphasized the operation's audacity, marking one of the most significant sports corruption cases since the legalization of online sports betting in the U.S.