NBA sharpshooter under investigation in connection with gambling scandal

Published On: July 1, 2025

Federal investigators are looking into NBA shooter Malik Beasley in relation to a gambling scam involving NBA games and prop bets.

ESPN reports that at least one major sportsbook noticed abnormally high betting interest in Beasley’s stats in January of 2023–24, when he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Beasley made a career-high 77 starts in 79 games during the 2023–24 campaign. During the season, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

In 2023–24, the 3-point pro also made 41.3 percent of his 3-point attempts.

According to ESPN, a sportsbook got so many wagers on Beasley finishing with fewer than 2.5 rebounds on January 31, 2024, that the line went from roughly +120 to roughly -250. But Beasley ended up with six rebounds, and all of the odd wagers were unsuccessful.

Steve Haney, Beasley’s lawyer, gave ESPN a statement.

According to the statement, an investigation is not a charge. According to the U.S. Constitution, Malik has the same right to the presumption of innocence as everyone else. He hasn’t been accused of anything as of yet.

Beasley, 28, recently finished his ninth NBA season after playing collegiate basketball at Florida State. This past season, he played in all 82 games and made 18 starts for the Pistons, averaging 16.3 points per game. Last year, he also made 41.6 percent of his 3-point attempts.

ESPN reported that Malik Beasley was negotiating a three-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons. But according to reports, those discussions are currently on hold.

While the NBA issued a statement to the organization, the Pistons informed ESPN that they are aware of the probe.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN, “We are working with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.”

Beasley’s probe follows the NBA’s decision to ban former Raptors center Jontay Porter due to a gambling controversy. Although Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, has not yet been charged with a felony or disciplined by the NBA, he has also been the subject of an investigation for gambling-related claims.