NCAA Player Banned over Sports Gambling Involvement, Opens Up

The NCAA has banned former University of New Orleans guard Dae Dae Hunter over his intentional refusal to play to the fullest of his ability to help secure betting outcomes. While the NCAA has announced the ban itself, Hunter has made full breast of his own guilt in the matter during a media appearance.

Commenting for Good Morning America, Hunter admitted that he had fumbled his shooting, engaging in something known as “point-shaving” to purposefully reduce the outcome of his shots, and thus influence sports betting results.

Hunter is among six players to have been impacted by the most recent investigation and subsequent decision by the NCAA. He joins several others, including Dyquavian Short and Jamond Vincent, Arizona State’s Chatton “BJ” Freeman, and Mississippi Valley State’s Donovan Sanders and Alvin Stredic.

All of these players have been found guilty of purposefully fumbling their plays in order to help various betting outcomes. Hunter was remarkably open about his experience, which is a rare insight into how student-athletes think and why they cave in to temptation.

The hosts at the show asked Hunter if he wasn’t worried about getting into trouble with the bettors who had contacted him to deliver specific outcomes. Hunter said that he felt “95%” confident that he could do what was asked of him.

He was similarly open about how he clashed with the subsequent investigation and its leads – he openly lied to them and denied any involvement in point-shaving. But he knew, Hunter told the show’s hosts.

He was well aware of his actions and only lied to protect himself as he was scared that he “wouldn’t get out of it.”

While the NCAA is not showing any leniency on point-shaving and other instances of match-fixing, the association is debating – and most likely agreeing – to allow college-level athletes to bet on professional sports.