NCAA Sanctions Six Ex-Players in Expanding College Basketball Gambling Scandal
The NCAA has announced sanctions against six former players implicated in a growing college basketball gambling scandal. These players are from three institutions: New Orleans, Mississippi Valley State, and Arizona State. The governing body described the infractions as occurring in “separate schemes” that exhibited “similar conduct.”
NCAA Sanctions Overview
The players sanctioned include Cedquavious Hunter, Dyquavian Short, and Jamond Vincent from New Orleans. Donovan Sanders and Alvin Stredic from Mississippi Valley State also faced penalties. In Arizona State, BJ Freeman was among those involved in the infractions.
New Orleans Players
The University of New Orleans was notable for suspicious betting activity linked to their games. Compliance monitoring services reported irregular wagering during five specific matches last season:
- McNeese State
- Texas A&M Corpus Christi
- Southeastern Louisiana
- Incarnate Word
- East Texas A&M
New Orleans finished with a 1–4 record in those contests, winning only against East Texas A&M. During the investigation, a teammate reported overhearing discussions among Hunter, Short, and Vincent about a third party placing a bet on the upcoming game against McNeese State. This meeting allegedly included instructions to manipulate the game’s outcome.
Mississippi Valley State Cases
In Mississippi Valley State, Sanders and Stredic were found to have committed Level I violations. Evidence indicated that Sanders discussed the possibility of “throwing the game” against Tulsa with a teammate. Unusual betting patterns were also detected for a game against Alabama A&M, with wagers reported at 3.6 times higher than average.
Arizona State Incident
In the case of Arizona State, BJ Freeman was accused of instructing his girlfriend to place bets on his performance while providing details to another player for gambling purposes. Specifically, Freeman discussed performance metrics, including his turnover statistics, in relation to placing bets.
Following the investigation, Freeman was dismissed from the team for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Reports indicate he was seeking to transfer to Central Florida, but ultimately did not join the program.
Wider Implications of the Scandal
This wave of infractions adds to the NCAA’s ongoing investigations into college basketball gambling. Previously sanctioned players at Fresno State and San Jose State are also part of this broader probe. Moreover, former players at Temple and North Carolina A&T are under investigation for similar issues.
The NCAA has faced scrutiny not only for these recent violations but also in light of a federal investigation into gambling practices in college sports, which includes connections to the NBA. Current and former players, alongside coaching staff, have been tied to various gambling-related activities.
As this situation continues to unfold, more teams are reportedly withholding players from competition amid these inquiries, raising further questions about integrity in college athletics and potential ties to illegal gambling operations.
