Federal prosecutors are expanding their scrutiny of NBA games for possible manipulation as part of a larger investigation into illicit sports gambling, according to statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The investigation originally targeted seven games mentioned in an indictment from October, but it now encompasses more matches that may have been affected by participants in an alleged insider betting network, as reported by The Athletic. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter are among those charged in relation to the scheme.
Rozier, one of six individuals indicted, faces accusations of sharing confidential information with a friend prior to a March 2023 game when he was still a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Prosecutors claim this information was relayed to bettors who subsequently placed prop bets on Rozier’s performance statistics. All six defendants, including Rozier, have entered not guilty pleas.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier
Porter faced separate charges and entered a guilty plea in July 2024 for exiting two games early during the 2023-2024 season. Previously banned from the NBA, he is now awaiting sentencing. Four other individuals were arrested in connection with the plan to profit from bets regarding his performance, three of whom have already pleaded guilty.
Timothy McCormack, one of those apprehended, was sentenced last week to two years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors stated that McCormack placed bets on matches involving Rozier and Porter and may have been involved in other ongoing investigations.
During McCormack’s sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman noted, “The government is conducting ongoing investigations. Our understanding is that the defendant has acted similarly in other situations.”
Documents filed in November revealed that McCormack wagered significant amounts on various NBA games, including the March 23, 2023 game between the Hornets and Pelicans, the January 26, 2024 game between the Clippers and Raptors, and the March 20, 2024 game featuring the Kings and Raptors. The precise number of additional games under investigation remains undisclosed.
The NBA confirmed its collaboration with law enforcement and regulatory bodies. “We are committed to assisting the relevant authorities in their investigation and collaborating with federal and state regulators on appropriate measures regarding the types of bets made on NBA games,” stated NBA spokesman Mike Bass. “The integrity of our sport continues to be our utmost priority.”
In separate news, former Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley is currently under federal investigation for suspected illegal sports betting. Presently a free agent, he was unable to secure a $42 million contract with the Pistons when teams became aware of the ongoing investigation.
Former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter
“To my knowledge, he remains under federal investigation, but there have been no recent indications regarding the direction they are taking,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, informed The Athletic. “Currently, Malik finds himself in a state of investigative limbo, unable to pursue his career despite the investigation lasting over a year.”
In October, thirty-four individuals were charged due to a multi-year investigation that uncovered a fraudulent poker scheme allegedly involving mafia elements in New York. Prosecutors revealed that former athletes were used to entice victims, including former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who was also among the 31 charged and has pleaded not guilty.
Some individuals implicated in the NBA investigation have been linked to a separate college basketball point-shaving scandal announced by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania earlier this month. Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen have been charged in both cases and have entered not guilty pleas.
Former LSU player Antonio Blakeney was also charged in the college basketball case, which prosecutors assert involved 39 players across 17 institutions, targeting 29 NCAA Division I games.