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Another sports betting scandal has surfaced, this time involving two Fordham Rams men’s basketball players.
Two former players were deemed permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA play after the governing body found them in violation of potential game-fixing for sports betting.
The NCAA announced Tuesday that Elijah Gray and Will Richardson are allegedly linked to a high-profile player who was indicted on fraud and bribery charges.
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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 both no longer part of the Rams’ basketball program.
It was a third party from another sports betting investigation who had heard that Gray, Richardson and another student-athlete discussed throwing a game for money.
“NCAA enforcement staff contacted state gaming authorities 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, with the individual betting that Fordham’s opponent would win,” the NCAA wrote in its statement. “Enforcement personnel reviewed the Fordham men’s basketball roster for that season and identified three individuals associated with the known player on social media, including Gray and Richardson.”
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Gray said he and Richardson exchanged messages with Antonio Blakeney, a former NBA player, and the known player involved in the scheme.
Gray added that both players agreed to forfeit the game in exchange for $10,000 to $15,000 in payments each. However, Gray said he reconsidered the deal and played his normal effort, and Fordham ended up winning the game.
Richardson, meanwhile, did not cooperate with NCAA investigators. He denied being part of talks with Gray and the celebrity player 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 Fordham ended up winning and said he saw screenshots of the messages, though he didn’t remember what they said.
Richardson denied taking part in the scheme in a subsequent interview in October 2025, while also denying communication with the known player and Blakeney. He also denied telling Gray about his enforcement interview, although Gray said the opposite happened.
“Phone records also indicate that after the October interview, Richardson again contacted another student-athlete who had not yet been interviewed by enforcement staff,” the NCAA’s statement added.
Gray agreed he breached ethical conduct rules by providing information to a known player, but maintained he did not follow through on the scheme. The NCAA said Gray “expressed remorse for his actions.”
Will Richardson of the Fordham Rams dribbles the ball in the first half against the St. John’s at the Carnesecca Arena in New York City on November 4, 2024. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)
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Gray’s and Richardson’s slurs are considered Level 1 in the Code of Ethical Conduct.
Gray averaged 8.2 points per game. game across 32 games during his second season with the Rams in 2024. Richardson also averaged 9.8 points per game. match over 27.1 minutes.
