UPDATE: Three former men’s basketball players from Eastern Michigan University have declined to participate in an urgent investigation regarding potential sports betting violations linked to multiple Eagles games during the 2024-25 season. The NCAA announced this shocking development on Friday, following suspicions of unusual betting patterns detected during Eastern Michigan’s game against Central Michigan on January 14.
The players, Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson, and Jalen Terry, who are no longer part of the program, had their phones imaged on January 29 as part of the inquiry. However, they have since informed the NCAA, through legal representation, that they will not cooperate with the investigation and requested the destruction of the phone images.
Refusal to participate in NCAA investigations constitutes a violation, potentially resulting in severe consequences, including the permanent loss of eligibility. Fortunately for these players, they no longer have any eligibility remaining. The NCAA’s enforcement staff stated that due to the lack of cooperation, they could not ascertain whether any betting violations occurred.
The NCAA’s Division I committee on infractions commented, “When individuals choose not to cooperate—particularly when cases involve potential integrity issues—those choices can and will be met with serious consequences, including prohibitions on athletically related activities.”
This investigation follows troubling indicators of suspicious betting on three Eastern Michigan games last season: against Wright State on December 21, at Toledo on January 7, and at Central Michigan on January 14. In each case, sportsbooks reported unusual betting interest against Eastern Michigan, with the Eagles trailing at halftime in all these matches.
Jalen Terry was notable for leading the team in scoring last year with an average of 16.6 points per game, while Da’Sean Nelson contributed 16.1 points per game and was the leading rebounder. Both players previously played together at DePaul before transferring to Eastern Michigan. Recently, Nelson signed with Swiss champions Fribourg Olympic in July.
This investigation is part of a broader NCAA probe affecting 13 athletes across six schools for alleged gambling violations, which raises significant concerns about the integrity of college sports.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for affected players and programs continue to grow. Fans and sports analysts alike are watching closely to see how this situation develops and what further actions the NCAA may take in response to the ongoing betting scandal.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we bring you the latest information on the NCAA’s efforts to address integrity issues in college athletics.
