Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier Arrested in FBI Gambling Probe

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested early on Thursday morning in Orlando as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into sports betting and gambling activities. This development was confirmed by reports from ESPN and NBA insider Shams Charania. The Eastern District of New York and FBI Director Kash Patel are scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. ET to provide further details regarding the arrests connected to this probe.

Rozier’s arrest occurred just hours after the Heat’s season-opening game on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic, in which he did not participate despite being listed on the active roster. Investigators have been scrutinizing unusual betting patterns linked to a game from March 2023 when Rozier played for the Charlotte Hornets. Reports indicate that significant wagers were placed on his player statistics, particularly betting “under” on points, rebounds, and assists. Previously, the NBA stated that it found no evidence of Rozier violating league rules.

Rozier’s Basketball Journey

Before joining the Miami Heat in early 2024, Rozier spent four seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he built his reputation as a tenacious defender and a clutch performer during the playoffs. Drafted by Boston in 2015, he initially had a limited role but gained prominence under coach Brad Stevens. By the 2017–18 season, Rozier became a pivotal player, stepping into the starting lineup due to injuries sustained by teammates Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

Rozier’s breakout performance came during the 2018 playoffs, where he averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, helping the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. His intensity and leadership shone through, particularly highlighted by a standout game against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he scored 29 points.

Over his four seasons with the Celtics, Rozier appeared in a total of 272 games, averaging 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game before being traded to the Hornets in 2019.

Team Reaction and Next Steps

As of now, officials from the Miami Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra have not publicly commented on Rozier’s arrest. The implications of this incident for Rozier’s future with the team and the broader NBA community remain uncertain. The upcoming press conference is expected to shed light on the extent of the investigation and any further actions that may follow.

This situation marks a significant moment not just for Rozier, but for the NBA, as it navigates the evolving landscape of sports betting and its associated risks. As the investigation continues, fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds.