The NCAA is conducting an investigation into possible sports betting violations by 13 former men’s basketball players from six different universities. The schools involved are Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T and Mississippi Valley. According to the NCAA, none of these institutions are currently under investigation or face penalties related to these cases.
The NCAA initiated the probe after its integrity monitoring program and other sources detected suspicious text and social media messages, as well as irregular betting patterns around regular-season games. The alleged violations include athletes betting on their own teams or against them, sharing confidential information with third parties for gambling purposes, manipulating game outcomes or scores, and refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Arizona State University addressed the matter in a statement: “Arizona State University is aware of the NCAA investigation and outcome related to a former student-athlete who is no longer enrolled at ASU. The university cooperated fully with all inquiries and was not implicated in any way.”
Previously, the NCAA Committee on Infractions resolved three similar cases involving former Fresno State and San Jose State men’s basketball players. In those cases, Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver were found to have placed bets on each other’s games or provided inside information last season. Two of them manipulated their performances to influence bet outcomes. As a result, their eligibility was permanently revoked.
The names of the athletes involved in the current six cases will not be released until after investigations conclude. None remain enrolled at their previous schools.
NCAA President Charlie Baker stated: “The NCAA monitors over 22,000 contests every year and will continue to aggressively pursue competition integrity risks such as these. I am grateful for the NCAA enforcement team’s relentless work and for the schools’ cooperation in these matters.” He also noted that legalized sports betting has increased opportunities for rule violations: “While legalized sports betting is here to stay, regulators and gaming companies can do more to reduce these integrity risks by eliminating prop bets and giving sports leagues a seat at the table when setting policies,” he said.
