The mother of former NBA player Terry Rozier, who is facing charges related to an alleged gambling scheme, asked a federal judge to allow her son to play basketball again.
Key Takeaways
- Rozier remains on indefinite leave from the NBA.
- Bail conditions currently prevent Rozier from playing professionally overseas.
- Rozier’s trial is scheduled to begin in February 2027.
Rozier, 32, was arrested Oct. 23, 2025, for his alleged role in a gambling scandal that involved the manipulation of NBA games. He was named in a superseding indictment with bribery charges May 28, 2026.
The former Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Boston Celtics guard - who has not appeared in an NBA game since April 13, 2025 - pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is on indefinite leave from the NBA and remains subject to bail conditions restricting his contact with potential witnesses and his ability to travel outside the U.S.
“Allowing Terry to return to basketball would not determine or diminish the seriousness of the allegations before the Court,” wrote Gina Tucker, Rozier’s mother, according to ESPN. “It would allow him to continue his profession while the judicial process determines the outcome of his case.”
Prosecutors accused Rozier of accepting a bribe to fake an injury and leave a game early while he was a member of the Hornets. This allowed known sports bettors to profit by betting the under on his player props, all of which cashed after he withdrew himself after just nine minutes of action in a game on March 23, 2023.
An investigation found that conspirators placed more than $258,700 in bets on Rozier’s unders. He was taken into custody as part of a sweeping federal gambling investigation that also led to the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former player and coach Damon Jones.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Restrictions cloud Rozier’s NBA future
The NBA has not announced plans to ban or reinstate Rozier after placing him on indefinite unpaid leave after his arrest. The Heat waived him before the postseason.
Rozier’s trial isn’t scheduled to begin until Feb. 8, 2027. The NBA could allow him to return once he meets certain league requirements, such as participating in meetings, demonstrating compliance, and taking any necessary steps outlined by the league.
“Terry has worked nearly his entire life to reach the NBA,” Tucker’s letter reads. “A professional athlete has a uniquely limited window in which to compete at the highest level. Every season matters, and time lost during the prime of an athlete's career cannot later be restored if the legal process takes months or years to resolve.”
Former NBA players Jontay Porter and Antonio Blakeney were both allowed to continue their playing careers in other leagues after being charged with gambling crimes. Porter currently plays for the Seattle Super Hawks in the United States Basketball League, while Blakeney plays for Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Premier League and EuroLeague.
Rozier’s bail conditions prevent him from playing in overseas leagues.
Rozier averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.9 minutes per game in his last full season. He scored a career-high 23.2 points per game during the 2023-24 campaign and has averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his 11-year career.
