NCAA Bans Six Players Over College Basketball Betting

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced at the end of last week that six men’s college basketball players had their eligibility revoked following their involvement in three separate sports-betting cases. 

Information Leakage and Game Manipulation

The investigations found that some of the athletes either manipulated their performances to lose games, missed spreads, or provided information to others for betting purposes during the 2024-25 season.

The players involved were BJ Freeman at Arizona State, Cedquavious Hunter, Dyquavian Short, and Jamond Vincent at New Orleans, and Donovan Sanders and Alvin Stredic at Mississippi Valley State. 

According to the NCAA, the incidents included intentional game manipulation, prop-bet influence, and sharing inside information with third parties.

Compromised Integrity 

Freeman’s case at Arizona State came to light after the NCAA reviewed text messages linking him to Mykell Robinson, a player previously banned for betting at Fresno State. Freeman also provided game information to his then-girlfriend. 

At New Orleans, Hunter, Short, and Vincent were involved after a tip suggested they were involved in game manipulation. During a December 28 game against McNeese State, a student-athlete overheard discussions about a third-party betting on the match. 

The players manipulated performances in at least seven games to ensure the team lost by more than the point spread. New Orleans suspended all three athletes while the NCAA conducted its investigation. 

University President Kathy Johnson emphasized that staff were unaware of the violations and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to compliance and integrity.

Mississippi Valley State came under scrutiny after unusual betting patterns were noted for a January 6 game against Alabama A&M. The NCAA found that Sanders and Stredic had provided information to third parties and were offered money to throw games. 

While other teammates did not participate, the two players were found to have knowingly engaged in activities that compromised the integrity of the sport. Both Sanders and Stredic are no longer enrolled at the university.

These announcements come amid increased attention on sports gambling. The NCAA is currently investigating more than 30 current or former players for gambling-related activity, following arrests of nearly three dozen individuals, including NBA personnel. Meanwhile, the NCAA recently delayed the start date, allowing student-athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, ensuring strict limits remain in place to protect college competition.