NBA Player Malik Beasley Is Under Federal Investigation into Allegations Related to Gambling

NBA free agent Malik Beasley is currently the subject of a federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office into allegations related to gambling.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, said the investigation in no way means that the athlete has been or will be charged with a crime, nor does it mean that he has engaged in any wrongdoing.

“I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and I’ve had numerous clients investigated federally that have never been charged with a crime, so the fact that there is an investigation that is associated with Malik in some fashion does not mean he’s charged of the crime, doesn’t mean that he’s banned from basketball, doesn’t mean anything other than what it means — that [there is] an investigation that includes his involvement,” Haney said.

“A lot of people are investigated for things that they haven’t done,” the attorney added.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said that the NBA is “cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” per a statement provided to The Associated Press and multiple other outlets.

Unnamed sources reportedly told ESPN that the allegations stem from the 2023-2024 season, when Beasley, 28, played for the Milwaukee Bucks. That season, Beasley averaged 11.3 points in 79 games, during which he made a career-high 77 starts, per the outlet.

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Beasley most recently signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Detroit Pistons for this past season. He made a season record 319 three-pointers in the regular season and averaged 16.3 points overall. 

It is unclear at this time if the current investigation will impact negotiations for the upcoming season.

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In a statement to ESPN, a spokesperson for the Pistons reportedly said they are aware of an investigation into Beasley, but deferred further comment to the NBA.

PEOPLE reached out to representatives for both the NBA and the Detroit Pistons for comment on Sunday, June 29, but did not receive an immediate response. 

This is the second time in recent months that an NBA player has come under federal investigation for gambling-related allegations.

In January, it was announced that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was under federal investigation related to unusual betting patterns during a March 2023 game against the Charlotte Hornets, per AP. He has not currently been charged with any crimes, nor has he received any disciplinary actions from the NBA at this time.