Another college basketball program is embroiled in controversy related to sports betting.
According to an ESPN report, the Fresno State men’s basketball program is under investigation by the NCAA and university over alleged illicit betting activity. The investigation has led to the indefinite suspension of two Fresno State players, Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins. The two athletes are “being withheld from competition as the University reviews an eligibility matter,” according to a statement from Fresno State.
The school and NCAA are also investigating Mykell Robinson, who is no longer a member of the basketball program after transferring from North Texas and two junior colleges.
According to ABC30 Action News, Robinson and Weaver allegedly wagered against the performance of Fresno State’s men’s basketball program for points and rebounds.
As a result of Weaver’s alleged wagering on his own team, the senior from Colorado is expected to be dismissed from the team but remains on the team’s roster as of Feb. 24.
Collins, a sophomore guard from Las Vegas, allegedly wagered on professional sports.
NCAA gambling rules ban wagering by all players, coaches, and team officials on events sponsored by the organization. Rules also ban betting on professional competition.
The Mountain West Conference, whose membership includes Fresno State, is also reviewing the issue. Earlier this week, the conference issued a statement acknowledging it has been in communication with Fresno State as it reviews the pending eligibility matter.
Self-reported by Fresno State coach
The three athletes have been implicated in the alleged gambling issue after head men’s basketball coach Vance Walberg notified Fresno State of the alleged sports betting.
Walberg’s tip led Fresno State to initiate an investigation leading to the NCAA’s probe.
The suspension of Collins and Weaver and the dismissal of Robinson is poised to continue to hurt Fresno State’s men’s basketball program, which currently holds a 5-23 record.
The team is in the midst of a 10-game losing streak, which started on Jan. 20. On Saturday, the team suffered a 72-69 loss to Air Force with only seven eligible players.
A growing issue for college basketball
Last November, federal authorities launched an investigation into former Temple University men’s basketball player Hysier Miller following irregular betting activity.
U.S. Integrity received alerts regarding irregular line movement and suspicious betting ahead of a game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham in March 2024.
It is unclear what role Miller may have played in the irregular line movement and betting.
The men’s basketball programs at Eastern Michigan, Mississippi Valley State and North Carolina A&T are also facing scrutiny due to an alleged series of bets placed by the same accounts involved in the illegal gambling scheme tied to former NBA player Jontay Porter.
The accounts tied to the suspicious wagering are also connected to games involving Miller.
