Qingfang Pang, a Mississippi Valley State basketball player, is in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over a visa overstay, according to CBS Sports. Pang’s detention adds him to a small but growing list of college basketball players caught up in immigration enforcement this fall.
Pang, 21, transferred to Mississippi Valley State from Monroe University in New York this offseason. He was detained on Sept. 29 while attempting to travel to New York to meet with his sponsor, a family friend, to resolve his visa issue, according to CBS Sports. He is being held at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, according to the ICE database.
What Happened
Pang’s attorney, Marcus Session, confirmed the circumstances of the Qingfang Pang ICE detention to CBS Sports. Pang came to the United States for high school, attending St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in New Jersey and Christ the King High School in New York before enrolling at Monroe University in New York.
During the 2025-26 season at Monroe, Pang appeared in 31 games and averaged 8.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He transferred to Mississippi Valley State ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Response
Session described Pang’s situation in personal terms. “He wants to resume going to school. He wants to play college basketball. He wants to be a 21-year-old kid who’s just trying to make a life for himself,” Session told WJTV.
Mississippi Valley State has not issued a statement confirming or commenting on Pang’s detention or its impact on the team’s roster and operations. ICE has not released additional information beyond confirming Pang’s detention through its database.
Team Impact
It is not known whether Pang has appeared in any games for Mississippi Valley State or practiced with the program since his transfer. Mississippi Valley State opens the 2026-27 season on the road against Oklahoma on Nov. 6, and whether Pang will be available for that game has not been addressed by the school.
Pang’s case follows a similar situation involving Kentucky State women’s basketball player Aminata Seck, who was detained by ICE and later released on bond, according to USA Today.
What’s Next
No hearing date or timeline for Pang’s case has been made public. Mississippi Valley State’s season opener against Oklahoma on Nov. 6 stands as the next point at which his status with the team could become clearer.
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