Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has often talked about the fact that he and his team sometimes discuss topics beyond basketball.

A close-knit group, Orlando welcomes an open environment within the locker room to talk about headlines across the country.

That included Thursday’s bombshell indictment dropped by the FBI against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and several defendants who were allegedly involved in a wide-ranging gambling scheme within the league.

“Every team in the NBA goes through the protocols of what’s coming your way,” Mosley said after shootaround ahead of Friday’s home game against Atlanta. “The gambling, the tipping, the betting … We all get the notes. I talked to our team about it once again [about] understanding the scenario and what’s happening, and they know, and you know, exactly what I know: What’s only going on in the news right now. And that’s all we can give them.”

Rozier and more than 30 other people were arrested Thursday, and many were accused of allegedly fixing bets by using confidential information about the NBA and its teams. Billups was also arrested Thursday and accused of allegedly participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games that were backed by La Cosa Nostra Crime families.

Playing and coaching in a league that has official partnerships with sportsbooks, Mosley is aware sports gambling is here to stay, but wants his team to be informed as much as possible.

The Magic themselves announced a new partnership with Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s only legal sportsbook, earlier this month.

“It’s not going away,” Mosley said about sports betting. “So, our ability to be educated in what’s happening is the biggest thing and to be aware of the surroundings and who you’re in contact with, those are always important pieces for each one of us to understand.”

Orlando hosts the Bulls on the second night of a back-to-back Saturday.

Wagner update

Mosley provided an update on backup center Moe Wagner, who suffered a torn left ACL last December, and shared what he’s done recently in practice.

“Moe right now is just still doing the non-contact work, continuing to strengthen his body,” the Magic coach said Friday. “But his spirits are still great. You can see him on the bench throughout our games continuing to coach, using his voice, using his encouragement.

“But body-wise, it’s just still continuing with the non-contact work,” Mosley added.

Penda learns from video games

How does a teenager growing up in France learn English?

By playing video games, of course.

At least that’s how Magic rookie Noah Penda, who played professionally in his home country before June’s draft, did it.

“The games didn’t have translation when I started playing,” Penda recently told the Orlando Sentinel. “So, I just learned like that.”

Penda has adjusted well to his new life in the NBA. While his English is strong, there are still moments where his teammates help him.

“Sometimes they use some words that even I don’t understand, but they make sure I understand every part of the speech,” he said.

Unlike Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen, who earlier this week passed his driving test after moving from China, Penda didn’t need to redo his driving test because he already had his French driver’s license, which allowed him to get a Florida one.

“The noise they make at night downtown,” Penda said when asked what’s surprised him most about living in Orlando. “It’s pretty crazy, but Orlando is a really cool city and I’ve met a lot of good people. It’s been pretty easy since I arrived here.”

Penda’s family came to some of Orlando’s preseason contests, but it’s harder for them to watch regularly from across the Atlantic because of the time difference. Paris is six hours ahead of the East Coast, meaning most Magic games tipoff at 1 a.m. their time.

“Most of the time they watch the replay,” Penda said. “I don’t even ask them to stay awake to watch my games, but they still do it so that’s great.”

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic vs. Bulls

When: 7, Saturday, Kia Center

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida

Originally Published: October 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM EDT