Former NBA player Malik Beasley intends to plead guilty to federal charges linked to an alleged sports-betting and bribery scheme, according to a court filing reported by ABC News.
Beasley, 29, had previously pleaded not guilty to four charges connected to allegations that he agreed to manipulate his performance during the 2023–24 NBA season, so associates could profit from player proposition bets. A change-of-plea hearing is expected to establish which charges he will admit to.
Federal Charges Centre On Alleged Manipulation Of NBA Player Proposition Bets
Federal prosecutors allege that Beasley agreed to underperform in selected statistical categories while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023–24 season.
The alleged arrangement was designed to help associates place profitable wagers on individual performance markets. These bets can involve points, rebounds and assists rather than the final result of a game.
A notice filed on Saturday referred the matter to a federal magistrate judge in Brooklyn for a change-of-plea hearing. The filing did not specify which charges Beasley intends to admit.
Prosecutors Identify Four Milwaukee Bucks Games In The Indictment
Beasley was indicted in June 2026 alongside former NBA player Ed Davis and four other defendants. The charges include bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
His indictment identifies four Milwaukee games in which prosecutors allege Beasley agreed to manipulate performances. They were against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 26 January 2024, the Charlotte Hornets on 27 February, the Los Angeles Clippers on 10 March and the Brooklyn Nets on 21 March.
In the Cleveland game, prosecutors allege Beasley indicated that he would record fewer than 3.5 rebounds. He finished with three rebounds, below the betting line cited in the indictment. Prosecutors allege that co-defendants and associates placed wagers on Beasley’s performance in selected games.
The indictment also says some games were chosen because they were not scheduled for national television. All of these allegations have not been established in court.
Plea Would Mark A Major Development In The Wider NBA Gambling Investigation
The anticipated plea is a major development in a wider federal investigation involving current and former basketball figures. This case follows the lifetime NBA ban issued to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter in 2024 after he admitted involvement in a betting-related scheme.
Former NBA player Damon Jones has also faced federal proceedings linked to separate alleged gambling activity, while Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups have been named in other investigations.
The allegations against Beasley have renewed concerns over the integrity risks associated with player proposition betting. Leagues and regulators are left to examine whether these markets create opportunities for manipulation or the misuse of non-public information.
Beasley’s expected plea underlines the vulnerability of player proposition markets, where a single athlete can influence a narrow outcome without affecting the final result. This case might increase calls for tighter monitoring, limits on certain player bets and improved information-sharing between sportsbooks, leagues and investigators.
Share
5 views
