Three Former College Basketball Players Face Permanent Ban for Betting Violations
In a significant turn of events within the sports community, the NCAA has enforced a lifetime ban on three athletes for their involvement in sports betting irregularities, marking a critical moment in the ongoing narrative of integrity in college athletics.
Following an extensive inquiry into match manipulation during at least five games in the Mountain West Conference for the 2024-25 season, the NCAA confirmed the findings on Wednesday. Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver were all implicated. These players either bet on their games, shared information to facilitate betting by others, or actively participated in betting on games.
Robinson and Weaver were teammates at Fresno State last season, while Vasquez, another former Fresno State guard, spent the past year at San Jose State. Their cases were resolved through a negotiated process, coordinated with their respective schools, as outlined in NCAA’s disciplinary procedures.
Connection Between Roommates: Texts Lead to Discovery
During the 2023-24 season at Fresno State, Robinson and Vasquez lived together, which laid the groundwork for their later actions. Just before Fresno State faced Colorado State in January 2025, the two communicated via text about betting strategies. Vasquez allegedly conspired with Robinson to place wagers on Robinson’s performance metrics during the game, all in a bid for financial gain.
In a series of transactions, Robinson’s mother sent money to Vasquez through Apple Pay, enabling him to place a $200 bet for Robinson. The outcome was disappointing for Robinson, who scored only three points and grabbed two rebounds. Following the game, Vasquez sent back a total of $1,625 to Robinson, consisting both of winnings from the bet and additional funds.
After initially declining to cooperate with the investigation, Vasquez was subsequently released from San Jose State’s basketball program in August.
Weaver’s Personal Bets Uncovered
The investigation revealed that Robinson wasn’t the only player engaging in wagering; Jalen Weaver also placed bets on his own performance. In late December 2024, he bet on himself, Robinson, and another student-athlete, further complicating the narrative surrounding these actions. On December 31, Weaver placed a parlay bet, which included over bets on his own assists and Robinson’s three-pointers.
Despite the scandal, Weaver defended his actions in a subsequent interview, claiming he had no intentions of undermining his team. "It was a poor choice, and I shouldn’t have gotten involved," he acknowledged. "While I bet on my performance, I never intended to bet against my team."
Wider Implications Beyond Fresno State
Interestingly, this investigation into the betting infractions is reportedly separate from a larger federal inquiry into potential point-shaving activities in college basketball, particularly in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Sources suggest that broader investigations are focusing on several institutions in the Southern U.S., raising concerns about the integrity of the sport as a whole.
This ongoing scrutiny into college athletics highlights more than just individual failings; it symbolizes a greater issue of compliance and oversight within sports. As the legal landscape for sports betting continues to evolve post-PASPA, the repercussions for such violations could redefine how college sports operate in the future.