Former Michigan basketball player banned for five games after violating the G League’s gambling policies
Former Michigan basketball standout Zak Irvin has been hit with a suspension due to gambling violations, as announced by the NBA, which oversees the developmental G League. Irvin, currently playing as a guard for the Grand Rapids Gold, has been suspended for five games, alongside Iowa Wolves guard Isaiah Moore, for breaching the NBA G League’s anti-gambling regulations.
It’s important to note that these rule infractions do not pertain to gambling on any NBA G League matches, clarified NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Irvin’s suspension takes effect immediately, starting from Wednesday, coinciding with the Gold’s match against the Cleveland Charge at Wolstein Center in Cleveland. The Gold, affiliated with the NBA champion Denver Nuggets, typically play their home games at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.
Zak Irvin, who embarked on his professional career with the Gold this season, boasts an impressive collegiate background as a three-year starter for the Michigan Wolverines from 2014 to 2017. Hailing from Indiana, he was a standout high school player, garnering the title of Indiana Mr. Basketball. Throughout his tenure with the Wolverines, Irvin showcased his skills, averaging 11.3 points per game and receiving multiple All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades.
Since departing Ann Arbor, Irvin has navigated various basketball leagues and territories. Prior to joining the Gold, he had stints with the Westchester Knicks and the Maine Celtics in the G League, in addition to playing professionally in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Taiwan.
In his brief stint with the Gold this season, Irvin has appeared in four games, contributing an average of eight points per game. His experience across different leagues and regions underscores his versatility and adaptability as a player, despite facing the setback of this suspension.
It remains to be seen how Irvin and the Gold will navigate through this suspension period and how it may impact his role and performance upon his return to the court.
