NCAA Bans Three Ex Fresno State Players for Betting

College basketball is facing another betting controversy, with three former Fresno State players permanently banned from NCAA competition after being tied to a wagering scheme.

Good to know

• NCAA rules state athletes betting on their own games are automatically ineligible.
• The case started after suspicious betting alerts were flagged by an integrity monitoring group.
• At least nine other schools are under investigation for unusual betting activity.

The NCAA confirmed that Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver were found guilty of violating ethical conduct rules related to sports betting. The Infraction Committee ruled them ineligible after determining the players worked together to profit from player prop wagers during the 2024–25 season.

The findings revealed more than casual betting. Investigators said Robinson and Vasquez coordinated plays, with Robinson deliberately underperforming on his statistical lines. The two, along with a third party, placed about $2,200 in bets and collected nearly $16,000 in winnings. They later split the profits.

Vasquez had transferred to San Jose State but still participated in the scheme. The NCAA noted that neither Fresno State nor San Jose State received penalties, as the violations were isolated to the players.

What Took Place?

The probe began after a sports betting watchdog noticed irregular activity on Robinson’s props at Fresno State. According to the NCAA, Robinson told Vasquez—his former roommate—that he would intentionally miss his stat targets. Their wagers hit, and Robinson personally bet on 13 of his own lines at a daily fantasy sports site. Although not every wager cashed, one parlay did pay him $618.

The investigation also uncovered that Robinson and Weaver discussed their betting lines with each other. Weaver placed a $50 parlay involving Robinson and another student-athlete, which won $260. That alone was enough for his permanent ban under NCAA rules.

Robinson averaged 10.3 points per game in 17 appearances last season, while Weaver contributed 12.5 points across 25 games. Both were regular starters at the time of the violations. The NCAA stated:

“The three cases were resolved via negotiated resolution in coordination with the student-athletes’ schools, per infractions process operating procedures. Robinson and Vasquez informed the enforcement staff that they did not wish to participate in the processing of their respective cases. Weaver did participate and agreed to the violation in his case.”

NCAA rules make it clear: if an athlete bets on their own games or performances, they lose eligibility. However, since a 2023 policy update, athletes can apply for reinstatement in certain cases.

This Fresno State case is just one part of a bigger picture. Reports suggest at least nine schools are under review for suspicious betting activity, including Temple, Eastern Michigan, New Orleans, and Mississippi Valley State. The NCAA has not disclosed the timeline for when further findings might be announced.