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Another sports betting scandal has emerged, this time involving two Fordham Rams men’s basketball players.
Two former players were deemed permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA games after the governing body found them in violation of possible game manipulation for sports betting.
The NCAA announced Tuesday that Elijah Gray and Will Richardson are allegedly connected to a well-known gambler who was charged with fraud and bribery.
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Elijah Gray of the Fordham Rams celebrates during a game against the George Washington Revolutionaries at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2024. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Gray and Richardson are no longer part of the Rams basketball program.
It was a third party in another sports betting investigation who heard that Gray, Richardson and another student-athlete were arguing about losing a game for money.
“NCAA enforcement staff contacted state gaming regulators to identify bets placed by the known bettor. The Mississippi Gaming Commission noted that a $10,000 bet had been placed on a February 2024 game involving Fordham, where the individual bet that Fordham’s opponent would win,” the NCAA wrote in its statement. “Law enforcement personnel reviewed Fordham’s men’s basketball roster for that season and identified three individuals who were connected to the known gambler on social media, including Gray and Richardson.”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES PUNISHED FOR $100,000 GAMBLING SCANDAL, BET ON THEIR OWN SCHOOL
Gray said he and Richardson exchanged messages with Antonio Blakeney, a former NBA player and the well-known gambler who was involved in the scheme.
Gray added that both players agreed to forfeit the game in exchange for payments of between $10,000 and $15,000 each. Gray said, however, that he reconsidered the deal and gave his normal effort and Fordham ended up winning the game.
Meanwhile, Richardson did not cooperate with NCAA investigators. He denied being part of the calls with Gray and the known bettor during an interview in September 2025.
Elijah Gray and Kyle Rose of the Fordham Rams celebrate during a game against the George Washington Revolutionaries at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2024. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Gray said Richardson continued to communicate with Blakeney after the game, which Fordham ended up winning, and said he saw screenshots of the messages, although he didn’t remember what they said.
Richardson denied participating in the scheme in a subsequent interview in October 2025, while also denying communication with the known gambler and Blakeney. He also denied telling Gray about his police interview even though Gray said the opposite occurred.
“Phone records also indicate that after the October interview, Richardson again contacted another student-athlete who had not yet been interviewed by law enforcement personnel,” the NCAA statement added.
Gray agreed that he violated rules of ethical conduct by providing information to a known gambler, but maintained that he did not follow through with the plan. The NCAA said Gray “expressed remorse for his actions.”
Will Richardson of the Fordham Rams dribbles the ball during the first half against St. John’s at Carnesecca Arena in New York City on November 4, 2024. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)
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Gray and Richardson’s offenses are considered Level 1 of the rules of ethical conduct.
Gray averaged 8.2 points per game in 32 games during his second season with the Rams in 2024. Richardson also averaged 9.8 points per game in 27.1 minutes.
