A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted former Florida State basketball standout Malik Beasley on a suite of charges that include sports bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. The former nine‑year NBA veteran now faces a potential prison sentence if the allegations are proven in court.
Prosecutors say the indictment stems from a scheme in which Beasley manipulated his statistical performance during multiple Milwaukee Bucks games in the 2023‑24 season, deliberately inflating or suppressing categories to benefit bettors who had placed wagers on those outcomes.
Allegations and Legal Strategy
The indictment unsealed this week alleges that the manipulation was part of a broader conspiracy involving multiple participants who coordinated bets with the player’s on‑court actions, generating illicit proceeds that were later laundered through a series of financial transactions.
Steve Haney, the veteran attorney representing Beasley, issued a public statement emphasizing that an indictment is not proof of guilt and that his client will contest the charges through the appropriate legal channels.
Beasley is expected to surrender to federal authorities later this week, a step that will trigger an arraignment and set the stage for a series of pre‑trial motions.
The former Florida State University star entered the NBA after a single collegiate season in which he averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, earning the 19th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Denver Nuggets.
After brief tenures with the Denver Nuggets and a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Beasley’s career trajectory took him to several other franchises, the most recent of which was the Bucks, where the alleged manipulation occurred.
The case reflects a heightened federal focus on integrity threats to professional sports, a domain where the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and international betting operators have increasingly collaborated on enforcement efforts.