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"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said during the hearing before Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo. In the first case, Jones was charged with Terry Rozier and others of helping a network of sports bettors wager on nonpublic information. Jones pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud conspiracy. Federal prosecutors estimated he could face about two years in prison when he is sentenced.
Federal prosecutors intend to bring new charges against Terry Rozier related to their sports gambling case against the NBA player and others. A lawyer in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York said Monday that it intends to file a superseding indictment against Rozier alleging that he “solicited and accepted a bribe.”
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones plans to plead guilty to sports gambling charges first brought by the Department of Justice last fall. Jones was accused of selling insider information to sports gamblers, including LeBron James’ game status, while he worked with the Los Angeles Lakers. Prosecutors for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York charged Jones with two federal counts last October. He initially pleaded not guilty, but a lawyer for Jones confirmed that he intends to change his plea. Jones is the first of six defendants charged in the case to signal he will plead guilty. Former Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier is also facing charges from that same case and indictment.
Jones is expected to appear in front of a federal judge in Brooklyn on April 28. Federal prosecutors said that Jones used his proximity to the Lakers as James’ personal shooting coach to gain and sell non-public information that could be useful for sports gamblers. He is alleged to have texted an unnamed co-conspirator the morning of the Lakers’ Feb. 9, 2023 game against the Milwaukee Bucks to bet big on the Bucks because a player matching James’ description would not play that night. James had not yet publicly been ruled out but he would not play. Prosecutors claim Jones also sold health information on another Lakers player ahead of a Jan. 15, 2024 game that he obtained from that players’ trainer and Marves Fairley —who has been charged in the same case — shared that with other bettors and placed a wager worth roughly $100,000 on the Lakers to lose that night. The Lakers lost; Fairley asked Jones to repay him the $2,500 fee, according to the indictment against both men. Prosecutors said that Jones tried to sell that insider information on players as early as Dec. 2022.
Ira Winderman: Upgraded to a standard deal, Jahmir Young has claimed Terry Rozier’s locker.
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Shams Charania: The Miami Heat are signing two-way guard Jahmir Young to a new two-year deal, agent Scott Nichols tells ESPN. Young fills the Heat's open spot created by waiving Terry Rozier.
Anthony Chiang: Terry Rozier has officially been waived by the Heat.
Shams Charania Tweets: The Miami Heat are waiving guard Terry Rozier today, sources tell ESPN. Rozier had been placed on leave by the NBA since October after federal indictments into sports gambling activity. Miami will open up a roster spot.
Ira Winderman: Nikola Jovic (ankle) out for Heat for Tuesday at Toronto. Tyler Herro (foot), Norman Powell (return to conditioning), Andrew Wiggins (toe) all probable. All others available (except Terry Rozier, who is on NBA leave and will be waived later this week).
Anthony Chiang: Heat says Andrew Wiggins (toe) is available. Only Heat players out tonight are Norman Powell and Terry Rozier.
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Anthony Chiang: Heat is listing Jaime Jaquez Jr. (sprained right ankle) as questionable for tomorrow's game vs. Cavs. Heat also remains without Vlad Goldin, Trevor Keels, Jahmir Young and Terry Rozier. Rest of roster expected to be available.
Anthony Chiang: Norman Powell upgraded to available for tonight vs. visiting Spurs. So, full Heat rotation available tonight. Only Heat players out are the three two-way contract players and Terry Rozier.
While guard Terry Rozier remains on the Miami Heat’s roster, his release is expected in the coming weeks. Rozier likely won’t be on the Heat’s postseason roster, according to a league source.
With Rozier away from the team and not expected back this season in the wake of his Oct. 23 arrest stemming from a federal investigation into illegal gambling, the Heat is expected to waive Rozier before the end of the regular season to open a roster spot to add a player for depth in the postseason.