Three men’s college athletes have been permanently banned by NCAA basketball amid an expanding probe into gambling violations involving college basketball. The ruling covers three former players: Mykell Robinson and Jalen Weaver of Fresno State, and Steven Vasquez of San Jose State. All three have been dismissed from their teams and are no longer enrolled.
The NCAA found that the athletes wagered on their own games, shared inside information, and in some instances intentionally altered their performance to influence betting outcomes during the 2024-25 regular season. Investigators say Robinson and Vasquez, who were roommates during the 2023-24 NCAA basketball season, colluded to exploit proposition bets, placing wagers on individual statistical performances and outcomes. Text messages presented in the case reportedly show Robinson telling Vasquez he would underperform intentionally in a game while still competing.
Robinson bet in daily fantasy sports on his own stats, including in parlays, and also made bets tied to Weaver’s performance during a December 2024 game after exchanging betting information. Weaver itself placed a parlay bet involving his own stats, Robinson’s, and a teammate’s, winning a modest sum. Weaver cooperated with investigators and admitted his violations; Robinson and Vasquez did not.
NCAA basketball also announced that players from six other schools are under investigation for gambling infractions, including allegations of betting on or against their own teams, score manipulation, and refusing to cooperate with enforcement investigators. The institutions named include Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T, and Mississippi Valley State. Those players are no longer enrolled at their schools, and their names have not yet been released.
NCAA president Charlie Baker warned of the increased integrity risks facing college basketball as legalized sports betting becomes more common. He called for stricter rules, including removal of certain types of bets and increased role for sports leagues in shaping regulatory policies. He emphasized that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by any schools or coaching staff, and no institutional penalties are being pursued at this time.
