Left to right: Mykell Robinson, Jalen Weaver, and Steven Vasquez. USA Today Sports/Reuters/AP/Icon SportsWire/Getty Images
As noted by CNN
The NCAA announced that three Division I men’s basketball players were permanently banned from competing after an investigation that uncovered their involvement in manipulating sports wagering.
«As part of a coordinated effort, student-athletes placed bets on their own games, games against each other, and/or provided information that allowed others to do so during the 2024–2025 regular season.»
– NCAA press release
Participants and Institutions
The case involves Mikell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jaelen Weaver. All three competed for Fresno State, with Vasquez later transferring to San Jose State.
Consequences for the schools and the players themselves
The NCAA noted that Fresno State and San Jose State were not punished for the players’ misconduct; the three athletes are no longer enrolled at their universities.
According to the release, Robinson and Vasquez did not cooperate with the investigation, while Weaver did acknowledge the violation.
According to the NCAA, triggers for the investigation included alerts from Fresno State and integrity monitoring of bets on Robinson. This provided grounds for gathering evidence that the three players exchanged information about specific betting lines with the aim of manipulating outcomes and winning prop bets.
«Under NCAA rules for Division I members, the standard punishment for bets on one’s own games is a permanent disqualification. However, a player who violated this rule can potentially be reinstated by the NCAA member institution.»
– NCAA
Chronologically, during last season, Robinson appeared in 17 games for Fresno State, starting 16 of them, averaging about 10.3 points per game. Weaver started in 24 of 25 Bulldogs games, averaging 12.5 points per game. Vasquez played in 29 games over four seasons – three with Fresno State and the final season with San Jose State.
This case underscores the NCAA’s strict standards for wagering on its events and the consequences for student-athletes who participate in violations that could affect outcomes.
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