A 21-year-old Nigerian college basketball player, Daniel Adegboyega, has been arrested and charged with first-degree rape in Alabama, United States.
According to court and detention records, the Jacksonville State University athlete is currently being held at the Calhoun County Jail, awaiting a bond hearing.
In addition to local criminal charges, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer hold on him.
Allegations and immediate police action
The charge against Adegboyega stems from an alleged incident that occurred on July 29, 2026.
An arrest warrant issued by law enforcement alleges that he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim “by forcible compulsion,” constituting a violation of Alabama state criminal law.
Investigators clarified that the alleged assault did not occur on the university campus.
The Jacksonville Police Department is currently leading the active investigation into the matter.
Under Alabama state law, a conviction for first-degree rape is classified as a Class A felony, carrying a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
University suspends Daniel Adegboyega
Following notification of his arrest, Jacksonville State University moved to suspend Adegboyega indefinitely from the men’s basketball program and scrubbed his official bio and profile from the university’s athletics website.
In an official statement addressing the incident, university officials stated:
“We are aware of the arrest. In response, the individual has been suspended from the men’s basketball team.”
Adegboyega had recently transferred to Jacksonville State in May 2026. Prior to joining the team, he spent the previous season competing for the University of California, Riverside, and previously played for the University of South Florida. He originally signed with Kennesaw State in 2022 before transferring without making an appearance for the team.
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