Malik Beasley spoke out for the first time after it was revealed in June that he’s under federal investigation over gambling allegations.
The Detroit Pistons guard shed light on the fallout in a recently released Snapchat video, in which he was asked, “Do you feel like everyone turned their backs on you?” amid the ordeal.
“People were saying some crazy things in the media. If you go on Instagram, you’ll see the craziest s–t. People judging you,” Beasley said, as captured in a video from the Pistons Talk X account. “Have I made mistakes in my life? Yes. Am I proud of those mistakes? No. I’m human. But I know what I know.”
Warning: Explicit language
“I got a chip on my shoulder. “I’m ready to destroy anybody in front of me. I’m ready to prove again that I belong in this league.”
The probe into Beasley stems from allegations centered on prop bets and gambling on NBA games around January 2024, when he played for the Bucks.
The Pistons, who signed Beasley to a one-year deal in July 2024, were in discussions to link up again on a three-year, $42 million deal before talks were paused.
The trouble for Beasley only continued from there.
It was reported in early July that he was being sued by his former marketing agency for failing to pay back a $650,000 advance.
It’s also been reported that he’s run up debts with a dentist, landlord and celebrity barber.
As news broke of the probe, Beasley’s lawyer, Steve Haney, issued a statement on the developments.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Haney said to ESPN. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. Constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”
Beasley, who remains a free agent, averaged 16.3 points per game, shooting 41% from three-point range.
