Detroit Pistons star Malik Beasley is being investigated by federal authorities for potential gambling violations, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that investigators are looking into allegations that Malik Beasley placed bets on NBA games during the 2023-24 season, when he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
A source told ESPN that they noticed something fishy when the Bucks played the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 31 of last year:
“The odds on Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds moved significantly at sportsbooks before the game, shortening from around +120 to around -250 due to a surge of action on the under. Beasley finished with six rebounds, and the bets that were deemed unusual lost.”
Steve Haney, an attorney representing Beasley, said he’s communicating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York, which opened the federal investigation into the possible gambling violations.
Haney also told ESPN that Malik Beasley hasn’t been charged with a crime.
Sports betting by athletes is strictly prohibited in professional sports leagues. Last year, Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was issued a lifetime ban from the NBA for placing bets on games when he was playing in the G League.
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Then-Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season because of gambling violations. In 2023, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams headlined a group of players who also got suspensions for violating the gambling policy, though he was reinstated after four games.
Malik Beasley Had A Strong First Season With Pistons
The 28-year-old Malik Beasley was a key contributor to the Pistons’ surprising success in 2024-25, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 assists and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 43.0 percent from the field.
Detroit ended a six-year playoff drought and finished 44-38, their best mark in nine years. They gave the New York Knicks a fight in round one, ultimately losing in six games.
Also Read: Dennis Schroder Gets Real About Uncertain Future With Detroit Pistons Amid Offseason Rumors
