Former New Mexico State basketball players file lawsuit related to hazing allegations

Two former New Mexico State men’s basketball players have filed a lawsuit against the university board of regents, former head coach Greg Heiar and others related to hazing allegations earlier this year. The program suspended operations and forfeiting its last six games after those allegations came to light.

William “Deuce” Benjamin and Shakiru Odunewu are both plaintiffs in the lawsuit, as is Benjamin’s father. Three of the defendants — Kim Aiken Jr., Doctor Bradley and Deshawndre Washington — all played for the Aggies last season and another, Dominique Taylor, served as associate head coach.

Stadium’s Jeff Goodman reported the lawsuit alleged Heier and Taylor both knew about the allegations as recently as November. Heiar and the staff were placed on administrative leave Feb. 10 and subsequently fired Feb. 14.

“By no later than November 12, 2022, Defendant NMSU, through Coach Heiar and Assistant Coach Dominique Taylor, had knowledge and notice that Shak Odunewu was a victim of sexual assault and rape perpetrated on him by Aiken, Bradley and Washington,” the lawsuit said, via Goodman.

KTSM-TV’s Colin Deaver also obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which included a preliminary statement from the three plaintiffs.

“Student athletes, like others on college campuses, have the right to be free from harmful and offensive contact by others, including intentional conduct anticipated to cause physical harm, humiliation and emotional distress,” the lawsuit stated. “Slapping a label of hazing on such behavior mischaracterizes the seriousness of the harmful conduct and attempts to minimize it while implying a justification as a rite of passage that will ultimately allow membership in an elite group, and further, implies the harm may be the price of admission.

“When the behavior goes too far, and crosses the line into nonconsensual touching, it is not mere hazing; it is battery and sexual assault. When the behavior continues for months, it cannot be viewed as an initiation rite; instead, it is harassment and abuse.”

Those allegations weren’t the only ones New Mexico State had to deal with in 2022-23. In November, Mike Peake allegedly shot and killed 19-year-old Brandon Travis on the New Mexico campus. The incident occurred in the early morning hours before NMSU and UNM were set to square off in their rivalry game, and Taylor found himself at the center of it after reports said the gun was found in his possession. He had previously told police he didn’t know where the gun was.