Report: NCAA gambling investigation prompted Wisconsin Badgers to dismiss Elijah Gray

ESPN finally shed some light on why the Wisconsin Badgers abruptly dismissed Elijah Gray from the team.

Before the transfer forward from Temple ever suited up for Greg Gard, the school announced his dismissal last week for "events preceding his enrollment at UW-Madison."

On Friday, ESPN reporter David Purdum connected the decision to a gambling investigation by the NCAA.

NCAA says it has opened betting investigations into approximately 30 college basketball players; some of the cases have already been adjudicated: https://t.co/OUK6gj4qJt

h/t @jeffborzello
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) October 31, 2025

He cited anonymous sources "with direct knowledge" that told him Gray's dismissal was "related to the NCAA's gambling investigation."

Back in September, the NCAA announced it was investigating 13 Division-I men's basketball players from six schools including Temple, where Gray played last season.

The announcement said none of the players being investigated were still enrolled at those schools, again pointing to transfer players like Gray.

Related: What Elijah Gray's dismissal means for Wisconsin Badgers basketball rotation

Last week, the NCAA said the investigation has expanded to as many as 30 current or former players.

The allegations against the players vary, so it's not clear what the governing body is investigating Gray for specifically.

The ESPN report indicated the investigation has connections to the recent NBA betting scandal.

The accusations from the NCAA range from players betting on or against their own team, to athletes manipulating scoring and sharing information to be used by betters.

#Badgers coach Greg Gard on plans to address a roster vacancy following senior forward Elijah Gray's dismissal from the team on Tuesday: "I think right now, we're just at 14 (players)." pic.twitter.com/XcSQM0fArC
— Michael McCleary (@MikeJMcCleary) October 30, 2025