Patrick Beverley has never been shy with his opinions. But when it comes to Karl Malone’s controversial history, the former All-Defensive guard went from talkative to stunned silence in seconds.
It happened on The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone during a hypothetical all-time draft. Beverley had Malone in his personal Top 20 players ever, until co-host Adam Ferrone dropped a piece of information that “threw [him] the f*** off.”
“I Need a Full Timeout”
Ferrone asked Beverley if Malone’s off-court life factored into his ranking. Pat Bev admitted he didn’t know much. So Ferrone told him.
Malone, Ferrone explained, impregnated a 13-year-old girl named Gloria Bell in 1983 while he was a 20-year-old at Louisiana Tech. The family chose not to pursue statutory rape charges but did file a paternity suit. Malone initially denied paternity, was ordered to pay $125 a week in child support, and didn’t have a relationship with the boy Demetress Bell early in his life, though reports say they eventually reconciled. Demetress later played in the NFL.
Hearing the details, Beverley froze.
“No. Full. I need a f***ing full timeout,” he said. “When you say he got a 13-year-old pregnant, was he 16?”
When told Malone was 20, Beverley shook his head. “Wow… that threw me the f*** off. Is this true and documented?”
Ferrone confirmed it was.
Wemby Knew Before Pat Bev Did
The revelation was new to Beverley, but not to Victor Wembanyama.
Earlier this year, on Malone’s 62nd birthday, the Spurs star reshared a viral clip calling for the “Mailman” to be locked up, in response to the NBA’s celebratory post.
Neither Malone nor the league addressed Wemby’s jab, but plenty of fans applauded the rookie for speaking on a subject the NBA rarely acknowledges publicly.
The Debate Over Malone’s Legacy
Malone’s résumé is undeniable: third all-time in points, two MVPs, 14 All-Star selections. But for many, including Beverley now, those accolades can’t be separated from his off-court history.
The divide is stark. Some in the NBA community, like Richard Jefferson, still put Malone above contemporaries like Charles Barkley for his discipline and production. Others believe his actions in 1983 should overshadow his basketball legacy entirely.
Beverley’s on-air reaction wasn’t a formal verdict. But for a player known for strong takes, his silence, and shock, might be the loudest statement of all.