Former NBA players Malik Beasley, Ed Davis facing illegal gambling charges

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) players Malik Beasley and Ed Davod have both been indicted on illegal sports gambling charges following a scheme which was allegedly first developed during the 2023-2024 season. 

According to prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the two grew close while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in 2020-2021, with Davis eventually convincing Beasley to manipulate his performance in early 2024. 

Beasley had allegedly developed “millions of dollars” in gambling losses, some of which Davis had loaned, and began working off the debt by manipulating his performance during a January 26, 2024 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Davis and Beasley worked with three other people to bet on Beasley’s performance, including Davis’ former agent Paolo Zamorano, leading to thousands of dollars being wagered on the Bucks–Cavaliers matchup. 

Beasley would go on to allegedly manipulate his performance in three additional games during 2024, but the scheme eventually began falling apart after Beasley could not hit the under of his rebounds total on March 21 against the Brooklyn Nets. 

Beasley, Davis, Zamorano, William Brown and Robert Gorodetsky all face charges of sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The former Milwaukee Buck was previously offered a three-year, $42m contract by the Detroit Pistons following an impressive showing for the franchise in 2024-2025, but the team rescinded the offer after learning Beasley would be placed under investigation. 

Fellow former NBA player Terry Rozier is also set to face additional charges of bribery and fraud following a court hearing in New York on April 27.

Rozier, who was recently waived by the Miami Heat, allegedly notified childhood friend Deniro Laster of his intentions to exit a March 2023 game early, leading to multiple bettors placing wagers on his under point totals, assists and rebounds.