The NBA is facing one of its biggest scandals in years after Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were both charged in separate gambling cases to start the season.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Rozier and Billups are two of the 30 people accused of being involved in gambling and money-laundering tied to professional basketball games. Both Rozier and Billups have denied doing anything wrong, but the details found by the prosecutors prove otherwise.
Rozier, who is known in the NBA as “Scary Terry,” is accused of leaking insider information to bettors — including tips about his own playing time and injuries — that allegedly helped people win thousands of dollars on NBA wagers. One example listed in the indictment claims that during a March 2023 game, Rozier told bettors he would leave early due to injury. He checked out after less than 10 minutes of play, and large bets were placed on his “under” stats before tip-off.
Billups’ situation is different but just as serious. Federal prosecutors say the Trail Blazers coach took part in a high-stakes poker scheme backed by organized-crime families. The operation allegedly used rigged games, hidden cameras, and even modified shuffling machines to cheat players out of close to $7 million.
The indictment refers to an unnamed “Co-Conspirator 8,” described as an Oregon resident who played in the NBA from 1997 to 2014 and has coached since 2021 — a description that matches Billups exactly.
Both Rozier and Billups were arrested, posted bond, and have been placed on immediate leave by the NBA. The league called the situation “deeply troubling” and said it would “continue cooperating with law enforcement.”
The Trail Blazers and the Miami Heat have also issued statements saying they’re fully cooperating with the investigation. Neither team has commented on who will take over coaching or roster duties in the meantime.
Rozier’s attorney told reporters that his client “isn’t a gambler and never leaked any confidential information,” while Billup’s legal team called the accusations “unfounded and damaging to a respected career.”
The arrests are happening at a time when the NBA, like other major leagues, has leaned heavily into sports-betting partnerships. That makes this situation hit even harder. Fans and analysts are already questioning whether the league has enough safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the game.
Even NBA legends have weighed in — Shaquille O’Neal told reporters he was “ashamed” to hear the news, saying every player knows the rules about gambling.
As the case moves forward, the focus will shift to what happens next: how much the NBA knew, what penalties might follow, and whether this is just the beginning of something bigger. For now, both Rozier and Billups maintain their innocence — but the league’s reputation might already have taken a hit.
