NBA sharpshooter Malik Beasley is being investigated by federal authorities in connection to a gambling scandal involving NBA games and prop bets.
[According to ESPN](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587341&xs=1&xcust=mconnolly|&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F45608949%2Fsources-pistons-malik-beasley-subject-federal-gambling-probe), during the 2023-24 season while he was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, at least one prominent sportsbook detected unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley’s stats in January.
Beasley appeared in 79 games during the 2023-24 season, making a career high 77 starts. He averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game that year.
The 3-point specialist also shot 41.3 percent from behind-the-arc in 2023-24.
ESPN reports that on Jan. 31 2024, a sportsbook received so many bets on Beasley to finish with under 2.5 rebounds that the line moved from about +120 to about -250. However, Beasley finished with six rebounds, and the unusual bets all lost.
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, provided a statement to ESPN.
“An investigation is not a charge,” the statement said. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. Constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”
The 28-year-old Beasley, who played college basketball at Florida State, just completed his ninth season in the NBA. He averaged 16.3 points per game for the Pistons this past season, appearing in all 82 games and making 18 starts. He also shot 41.6 percent from 3-point range this past year.
Malik Beasley was in talks with the Pistons to sign a three-year, $42 million contract, according to ESPN. However, those talks are now reportedly on hold.
The Pistons told ESPN that they are aware of the investigation, while the NBA released a statement to the company.
“We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN.
The investigation into Beasley comes after former Raptors center [Jontay Porter was banned](https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2024/04/nba-bans-jontay-porter-after-gambling-probe-shows-he-shared-information-bet-on-games.html) by the NBA in connection to a gambling scandal. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has also been investigated for gambling allegations, although he has not been charged with a crime or faced any punishment from the NBA to this point.