BREAKING: The NCAA has confirmed that three college basketball players are permanently banned for betting on their own games. An investigation revealed shocking details about the manipulation of game performance for gambling purposes, making this one of the most significant scandals in recent college sports history.
According to the findings released just hours ago, Fresno State forward Mykell Robinson, San Jose State guard Steven Vasquez, and Fresno State guard Jalen Weaver face severe penalties after being found guilty of serious gambling violations. All three players are now permanently ineligible and no longer enrolled at their respective schools.
The investigation uncovered that Robinson and Vasquez conspired to place bets worth $2,200 on Robinson to underperform during a game against Colorado State on January 7, 2025. Alarmingly, the bets were flagged by a Nevada sportsbook operator, ultimately winning a net total of $15,950. Vasquez was implicated in one of the wagers, which involved collaborating with a “sportsbook trader,” highlighting the extent of their misconduct.
Details from the NCAA’s case synopsis reveal that during the game, Robinson deliberately altered his performance, scoring just three points, registering two rebounds, and making only one three-pointer while not recording any assists. This strategic underperformance ensured that the placed bets won, drawing attention to the depth of the players’ involvement in gambling activities.
In addition to the betting on his performance, Robinson also engaged in 13 prop bets on daily fantasy sites between December 11, 2024, and January 11, 2025. The NCAA investigation found that both Robinson and Weaver discussed betting lines on each other’s statistics and placed wagers on themselves during select games. Notably, Weaver placed a $50 parlay bet involving himself, Robinson, and another athlete, which won him $260.
Robinson last took the court for Fresno State on January 11 against Nevada, while Vasquez graduated from San Jose State in May. The NCAA reported that Robinson and Vasquez did not cooperate with the investigation, whereas Weaver did, potentially influencing the outcomes of their cases.
In February, ESPN reported that the NCAA and Fresno State were probing whether players participated in daily fantasy contests based on their own performances. Weaver acknowledged playing a daily fantasy contest on his points total during a home game against New Mexico on December 31, 2024, where he bet $50 on himself to score more than 11 points. He finished with 13 points in a losing effort, expressing regret over his involvement in gambling.
“I just made a bad decision, and I shouldn’t even have gotten involved with that. Now, I’m obviously paying for it,” Weaver admitted. “I never tried to sabotage the season. I never bet on us to lose, never bet my unders.”
This scandal raises urgent questions about the integrity of college athletics and the growing influence of gambling in sports. As the NCAA continues to investigate, the implications for college sports, players, and institutions could be far-reaching. The situation is developing, and further updates are expected soon. Stay tuned for the latest on this critical issue impacting college basketball.
