MVSU’s Qingfang Pang becomes third college basketball player recently detained by ICE

Mississippi Valley State forward Qingfang Pang was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week and is currently in custody, according to the ICE locator database .

Pang, a 6-foot-9 forward from the People's Republic of China, was trying to fly from Jackson, Mississippi to New York, where his American visa sponsor is, his attorney Marcus Session told Front Office Sports. Pang's lawyer says that he was detained due to an expired visa, and he told local TV that Pang "didn't know his visa was expired."

Pang is one of two Chinese players on the Delta Devils roster. He is a transfer from Monroe University in New York, where he averaged 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over the last two seasons. He attended high school at Christ the King in New York City and was once recruited by high-major programs during his high school career.

"Mississippi Valley State University is aware of the situation involving one of our students and is deeply concerned for the student's well-being," MVSU said in a statement on Thursday. "The student is registered as a full-time student at Mississippi Valley State University. University officials are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to providing appropriate support as circumstances develop."

Known college basketball players in ICE custody

He is at least the third college basketball player to be detained by ICE in recent months. Kentucky State women's basketball player Amina Seck was released this week after two months in detention. Southern Connecticut State men's player Deng Deng was released 12 days after he was detained in September.

ICE arrests have skyrocketed during the second Trump administration. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, there was a nearly 3x increase in ICE arrests in 2025 from 2024, with over 300,000 arrests made, and that number is only growing again in 2026. Meanwhile, college basketball is a more global game than ever, with a growing international presence.

Mississippi Valley State opens up its season against Oklahoma on November 6. It plays against 10 high-major opponents on the road in non-conference play, and doesn't play a home game until January 9. It is unclear when and if Pang will be able to rejoin the team.