Iona Star’s Past with Pitino Shadows Gambling Probe Suspension

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 27, 2025) — Adam Njie, a standout freshman at Iona University recruited by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino but who committed to Iona after Pitino’s departure, has been sidelined by Dayton men’s basketball due to eligibility concerns tied to a sprawling NCAA and federal investigation into college basketball gambling, Sports Illustrated reported. Njie’s promising career, sparked by his recruitment to Iona under Pitino’s tenure, is now clouded by allegations of pre-Dayton activities linked to game-fixing and performance manipulation.

Njie was reportedly recruited by Rick Pitino while in 11th grade but committed to Washington State before switching to Iona.

Pitino, who coached the Gaels from March 2020 to March 2023, revitalizing the program with his high-profile name and knack for attracting talent like Njie, a three-star recruit bordering on four-star status. Njie committed to Iona after Pitino’s tenure. He played his freshman season in 2024-25 under a different coach (Tobin Anderson) after Pitino left for St. John’s in March 2023.

Pitino’s time at Iona followed a controversial career marked by NCAA troubles at Louisville, where he was suspended for five games in June 2017 for failing to oversee a recruiting scandal involving over a dozen sex parties with paid strippers and prostitutes, some engaging with underage recruits.

The NCAA issued Level I violations against Pitino for inadequate monitoring, and Louisville’s 2013 national championship was vacated. In October 2017, Pitino was fired amid an FBI probe into a pay-for-play scheme funneling $100,000 to a recruit’s family; though Pitino claimed ignorance, the NCAA and Louisville held him accountable, and no criminal charges were filed against him. Pitino’s earlier stint with the Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001 also faltered, ending with his midseason resignation after a 102-146 record and a notorious rant bemoaning fan expectations, stating, “Larry Bird is not walking through that door,” alienating players and Boston’s sports community.

Dayton announced Sunday night that it is withholding Njie from competition due to eligibility matters that occurred before his enrollment at the university, with the school notified of the issue by the NCAA. Sources told Sports Illustrated that Njie’s situation is connected to the ongoing investigation of gambling-related activity in college basketball, though it remains unclear if he faces scrutiny from both the NCAA and federal investigators or just the NCAA.

“In light of these concerns and the ongoing review process, Adam will not be participating in athletic competition at this time,” Dayton’s announcement said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is conducting a sweeping investigation of illegal gambling, game-fixing, and performance manipulation in college basketball, alongside a probe by the Eastern District of New York that led to the arrests of 34 people last week, including a ring of gamblers using inside information for wagers. Among those indicted was Louis Apicella, a New Rochelle native, charged in a separate Department of Justice indictment related to the gambling scandal. The federal arrests also included NBA figures Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat, former player and coach Damon Jones, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Some charged gamblers are suspected of attempting to fix college games, with indictments expected soon, sources told Sports Illustrated.

In September, the NCAA announced it was investigating gambling-related infractions involving 13 players at six schools: Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T, and Mississippi Valley State. On Friday, the NCAA revealed findings from its first completed case, assessing Level I violations against three former Eastern Michigan players for refusing to cooperate with investigators. Their eligibility had expired, so no sanctions were applied, and Eastern Michigan faced no penalties. Sources indicated to Sports Illustrated that multiple schools with current players have eligibility concerns tied to the probe, with Njie and Dayton being the first publicly named.

The NCAA aims to clarify cases before the season starts on Nov. 3, when Dayton, an Atlantic-10 contender, faces Canisius. Njie was expected to be a key contributor for the Flyers.

Njie, from the Bronx, averaged 12.2 points and 4.2 assists as a freshman at Iona, earning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference all-rookie honors. He played all 32 games, starting 27, shooting 41% from the floor, with a career-high 26 points at Canisius on March 3 (68.8% shooting) and 12 assists against Rider on Feb. 14. Njie scored double digits in 22 games, including five 20-plus point performances.

A top-180 national recruit by 247Sports and On3, Njie was a top-15 positional and top-10 New York State prospect. He considered offers from Seton Hall, Miami, Mississippi State, and Arizona State before committing to Washington State initially. Named HoopHall East Most Outstanding Player, Njie averaged 17 points and ranked top-five in assists at EYBL Peach Jam with Expressions EYBL and played for the New York Riverside Hawks.

At Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, Njie averaged 21 points, eight assists, and four rebounds as a senior, earning NYSSWA New York Class AAA All-State Third Team and CSHAA AA All-League Second Team honors. He led Cardinal Hayes to the 2024 CHSAA Class AA Playoff quarterfinals and New York Archdiocesan Playoff semifinal, with the team receiving votes in the 2023-24 New York State rankings. As a junior, alongside teammates Ian Jackson (North Carolina) and Elijah Moore (Syracuse), he averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 3 rebounds, securing NYSSWA New York Class AAA All-State 16th Team honors and helping Cardinal Hayes to a 2023 CHSAA AA New York Archdiocesan City Championship and CHSAA Class AA State Championship game, ranking No. 4 in New York State.

Njie’s is majoring in business.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.