Explained: How Terry Rozier Shared Information That Paid Off For Bettors

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 09:31 IST

Terry Rozier and Deniro Laster face federal charges for allegedly rigging NBA prop bets using insider info, with Damon Jones also accused of leaking player availability details.

Terry Rozier’s attorney stated he's looking "looks forward to winning this fight." (AP Photo)

NBA guard Terry Rozier was averaging nearly 21 points per game for the Charlotte Hornets as the 2022-23 season approached its conclusion. However, during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, he scored only 5 points and played less than 10 minutes before claiming he was injured.

The injury? It was fabricated as part of a scheme to benefit sports bettors, according to a federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday in New York.

This incident is central to a shocking scandal that is shaking the NBA. Rozier, along with an associate and others, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

Here’s how authorities allege the scheme unfolded:

Explaining prop bets and their alleged misuse by the perpetrators

Prop bets involve wagering on individual player statistics, such as whether a player will exceed or fall short of a certain number of points, rebounds, or assists, rather than the game’s outcome.

The indictment details how these popular bets can be manipulated using insider information from locker rooms.

Before the Hornets-Pelicans game, Rozier informed a longtime friend that he was “going to prematurely remove himself from the game in the first quarter due to a supposed injury and not return," the indictment states.

This allowed bettors with insider knowledge to wager that Rozier’s point total would be below his average. Conversely, gamblers who bet he would score more than 21 points, without such information, lost their money.

How the alleged insider information was shared

Rozier’s friend, Deniro “Niro" Laster, disseminated the information to others, who placed over $250,000 in prop bets, which paid off, according to the indictment.

Laster collected tens of thousands of dollars from those who profited from the insider information and subsequently drove to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they “counted the money" a week later, as per the indictment.

The indictment also mentions several unnamed NBA players whose game availability was a source of betting activity. Their identities are clear from a review of injury reports for games referenced in the indictment. These players are not accused of any wrongdoing and may not have been aware of the discussions regarding their game status. They include LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Damian Lillard.

Damon Jones, who served as an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23, was also charged. He allegedly shared non-public information about player availability for two Lakers games in 2023 and 2024.

In the 2023 game, Jones allegedly informed others via text that a player not listed on the injury report would miss the game due to a lower body injury. James, who had been listed as questionable, did not play due to ankle issues.

“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!" Jones said in a text, according to the indictment.

Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, stated that Rozier is “not a gambler" and “looks forward to winning this fight." It was not immediately clear if Laster or Jones had legal representation to comment on the allegations.

With AP Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

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