Terry Rozier seeks dismissal of two charges in federal sports betting case
The former NBA guard argues that newly cited evidence shows he was unaware of the alleged betting scheme.
US.- Former NBA guard Terry Rozier has asked a federal court to dismiss two of the four criminal charges he faces in a high-profile sports betting case. He argues that prosecutors lack evidence linking him to an alleged conspiracy to manipulate his on-court performance.
In a motion filed in federal court, Rozier’s attorneys asked the judge to dismiss sports bribery and honest services wire fraud charges. The defence argues that a text message sent by co-defendant Deniro Laster in March 2023 weakens the government’s case because it suggests Rozier did not know about the bets. According to the filing, the message was sent six days after the alleged wagers on Rozier’s performance while he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
The message read, “Don’t tell chum ’bout the bet,” with “chum” identified as Rozier’s nickname. Rozier’s lawyers argue this shows that the people involved in the alleged betting scheme deliberately kept the player unaware of the wagers. They say prosecutors cannot claim Rozier knowingly accepted payment or agreed to alter his performance if others were explicitly telling each other not to inform him about the bets.
Federal prosecutors reject that interpretation, arguing the message was unrelated to the alleged conspiracy. They say other evidence, including witness testimony, supports their claim that Rozier knowingly participated in the scheme. Prosecutors also allege that, before the Charlotte Hornets’ March 23 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier told associates he planned to leave the game early.
Investigators claim that information allowed bettors to profit by wagering on the under in several of his player prop markets. The latest motion follows an earlier request by Rozier’s defence to dismiss the remaining charges filed in December. The court has not yet ruled on either request.
Rozier, who last played for the Miami Heat before being released in April, was arrested and indicted in October 2025. Prosecutors added the sports bribery and honest services wire fraud charges in May 2026. He has pleaded not guilty to all four counts and is currently scheduled to stand trial in February 2027.
In June, federal prosecutors secured support from both the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets to keep Rozier’s bond conditions in place while he awaits trial. The restrictions prevent him from contacting current or former members of the franchise and have also limited his chances of returning to the league.
