Former Fordham men’s basketball players banned for participation in betting scheme

The Fordham Rams are in hot water with another bombshell betting scandal rocking the sports world.

Two former Fordham men’s basketball student-athletes are permanently ineligible as a result of NCAA violations involving potential game manipulation for sports betting, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

Elijah Gray and Will Richardson, who are no longer members of the program, allegedly are connected to a known bettor who was indicted on fraud and bribery charges.

Elijah Gray #12 of the Fordham Rams celebrates during the game against the George Washington Revolutionaries in 2024. G Fiume/Getty Images

Gray transferred to Temple for the 2023-24 season before moving to Wisconsin, but the university dismissed him from the program in October due to “events preceding his enrollment at UW-Madison,” per the Journal Sentinel, while Richardson transferred to Albany for this past season but did not play.

The investigation by the NCAA revealed that the known bettor wagered $10,000 in February 2024 that Fordham’s opponent would win.

A third party interviewed by the NCAA said he overheard Gray, Richardson and another student athlete discussing throwing a game for money.

Gray acknowledged that he and Richardson exchanged messages with the known bettor and a former NBA player involved in the scheme.

The two players eventually agreed to receive $10,000-$15,000 in payments each, though Gray stated that he ultimately reconsidered the deal and did not receive payment.

Will Richardson #1 of the Fordham Rams against the St. John’s Red Storm in 2024. Porter Binks/Getty Images

Richardson did not cooperate with investigators, while Gray agreed that he violated ethical conduct rules by providing information to a known bettor but maintained that he did not follow through on the scheme.

It is unclear who the former NBA player was, and the known bettors, while unnamed, were later indicted on Jan. 14 for wire fraud and bribery charges.

Gray averaged 8.2 points per game spanning 18.2 minutes per contest in 32 games in his sophomore season in the 2024 campaign.

Richardson averaged 9.8 points per game and played 27.1 minutes per contest that season for the Rams, who went 13-20.