NCAA bans two former Fordham players over $15,000 point-shaving plot
The NCAA has permanently banned former Fordham basketball players Elijah Gray and Will Richardson after uncovering a point-shaving plot orchestrated by an illegal gambling ring.
The governing body revealed that bettors approached college athletes under the guise of being Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agents.
They offered illicit payouts of up to $15,000 to deliberately lose a match against Duquesne in February 2024.
NIL disguise used by betting syndicate
Gray admitted to accepting the financial offer before ultimately reconsidering and playing with normal effort during a Fordham victory.
The North Carolina native agreed he violated ethical conduct rules by providing information to known gamblers.
However, the ex-Fordham athlete maintained he did not follow through on the actual match-fixing scheme during the game.
His former teammate was sanctioned for failing to cooperate with the probe and knowingly providing investigators with false information.
Federal indictments and lifetime bans
Both men have subsequently been ruled permanently ineligible to compete in collegiate athletics.
Federal authorities had previously pinpointed the Fordham-Duquesne fixture as a primary target for the match-fixing syndicate.
Gray, who later transferred to Temple and Wisconsin, has already pleaded guilty to federal charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Former NBA player Antonio Blakeney has also been indicted in connection with the widespread conspiracy.
Wider match-fixing investigation
Investigators noted that one of the implicated bettors contacted players via Instagram before the game, urging them to underperform and recruit teammates.
The former Ram told enforcement staff he actually recognised one of the instigators from youth tournaments in his hometown of Charlotte.
Another bettor, Marves Fairley, has indicated he will plead guilty to the federal charges brought against him.
Fairley is additionally facing a separate federal gambling indictment centred on sharing inside information within the NBA.
