Fresno State Basketball Under NCAA Scrutiny Over Betting Allegations
Three Fresno State men’s basketball players are under investigation for possible sports betting violations, according to reports.
Based on information received by the university, both the NCAA and Fresno State have launched inquiries into the athletic program, the Fresno Bee reports.
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Two current Fresno State players involved
Guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins were not part of Fresno State’s lineup in a loss to Air Force. The match took place several hours before the report came to light.
Later, the university kicked Weaver off the basketball team, which stoked more rumors that he had been investigated regarding the betting issue. His absence is especially noteworthy because he was the team’s top scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game. An official from the athletics department said the institution did not have anything to say about the decision.
Collins remains on the team. With an average of 12 points, he is among the team’s top scorers.
Former guard the third player
Adding to the controversy, former Bulldogs guard Mykell Robinson has also been named in the investigation, according to the report. Robinson was removed from the team last week for undisclosed reasons.
Robinson has not played for the Bulldogs since January 11 despite a strong record of 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The NCAA Mountain West Conference officials addressed the report officially with a statement:
“The Mountain West has been in communication with Fresno State as the institution processes a review of an eligibility matter.”
Not much info on Fresno State betting probe
Little to no information is available about the scope of the NCAA investigation. The report does not disclose how the players were involved in the alleged betting activity or whether bets were made in favor of or against the Bulldogs.
The NCAA regulations, however, prohibit players and coaches from betting on NCAA matches and sharing information with anyone from the sports betting industry.
Names of several Eastern Michigan basketball players surfaced in an investigation linked to suspicious betting patterns involving the team’s first-half point spread in January. Former Temple standout Hysier Miller is also at the centre of a separate federal investigation into illegal sports betting activity.
These incidents are part of a concerning trend of betting scandals seen in college sports lately, which has left the NCAA looking for fixes. It urged Congress and individual states to ban player prop betting on college athletes, arguing that such wagers make players more susceptible to outside influence and compromise the integrity of the sport.
