NCAA bans 2 former Fordham basketball players for life over game-fixing scheme
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Another sports betting scandal has emerged; this time it involved two Fordham Rams men’s basketball players.
Two former players were ruled permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA games after the governing body found they violated potential game manipulation for sports betting.
Elijah Gray and Will Richardson are allegedly linked to a known bookmaker who has been indicted on fraud and bribery charges, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
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Elijah Gray of the Fordham Rams celebrates during the game against the George Washington Revolutionaries at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center on January 3, 2024 in Washington, DC. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Gray and Richardson are no longer part of the Rams’ basketball program.
The person who overheard Gray, Richardson, and another student-athlete discussing playing games for money was a third person from another sports betting investigation.
“NCAA enforcement staff contacted state gaming regulators to determine the bets placed by the known bettor. The Mississippi Gaming Commission noted that a $10,000 bet was placed on a game featuring Fordham in February 2024 that included an individual bet that Fordham’s opponent would win.” The NCAA wrote in its statement:.
“Enforcement staff reviewed Fordham’s men’s basketball roster that season and identified three individuals with connections to the known bookmaker on social media, including Gray and Richardson.”
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Gray said he and Richardson exchanged messages with former NBA player Antonio Blakeney and the known bookmaker involved in the scheme.
Gray added that both players agreed to forfeit the game in exchange for payouts of between $10,000 and $15,000. Gray said he reconsidered the deal and gave his normal effort, and Fordham ultimately won the game.
Richardson, meanwhile, did not cooperate with NCAA investigators. He denied being part of the discussions with Gray and the known bookmaker during an interview in September 2025.
Elijah Gray and Kyle Rose of the Fordham Rams celebrate during the game against the George Washington Revolutionaries at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center on January 3, 2024 in Washington, DC. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Gray said Richardson continued to communicate with Blakeney after the game, which Fordham won, and that he saw screenshots of the messages but did not remember what they said.
Richardson refused to appear on the program in a subsequent interview in October 2025, while also denying communication with the known bookmaker and Blakeney. He also refused to tell Gray about the executive session, even though Gray said it was the exact opposite.
“Phone records also indicate that after the October interview, Richardson re-contacted another student-athlete who had not yet been interviewed by practice staff,” the NCAA’s statement said. he added.
Gray admitted breaching the code of conduct by providing information to a known bookmaker but maintained he did not carry out the plan. The NCAA said Gray “expressed remorse for his actions.”
Fordham Rams player Will Richardson plays for St. Louis at Carnesecca Arena in New York City on November 4, 2024. He dribbles in the first half against St. John’s. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)
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Gray and Richardson’s violations are considered Level 1 of the code of ethical conduct.
Gray averaged 8.2 points in 32 games in his second season with the Rams in 2024. Richardson averaged 9.8 points per game in 27.1 minutes.
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