Two players no longer with the Fresno State men’s basketball team reportedly made picks on their own stats in daily fantasy sports contests.
Mykell Robinson, who last played for the Bulldogs on Jan. 11, and Jalen Weaver, who was suspended last Saturday and has been removed from the roster, are being investigated by the school and the NCAA for these potential violations, according to ESPN’s report on Friday.
Weaver told ESPN that he wagered $50 on DFS app Sleeper to score more than 11 points in a game against New Mexico on Dec. 31. Weaver scored 13 points in the 103-89 loss and claimed he never bet against Fresno State.
"I just made a bad decision, and I shouldn't even have gotten involved with that,” Weaver said to ESPN. "Now, I'm obviously paying for it. I bet on a game I played in, but I never tried to sabotage the season. I never bet on us to lose, never bet my unders."
That was not the case with Robinson, who ESPN said took the unders in his points and rebounds in fantasy contests. The report also said at least one sports betting operator saw increased action on Robinson’s prop bets this season.
Weaver told ESPN that the athletic department has text messages of Weaver and Robinson discussing betting. Weaver plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Other suspension
A third Fresno State player, Zaon Collins, was also suspended last weekend for allegedly betting on professional sports. He is still currently listed on the roster.
The Bulldogs are 5-23 overall this season and 1-16 in the Mountain West Conference. In Fresno State’s only public statement, school officials and the MWC said last week that the players were being held out of games while they review an “eligibility matter.”
Fresno State’s gambling scandal is not related to a federal case looking into an NBA and college basketball betting scheme.
Basketball under scrutiny
That probe reportedly involves college games at Temple, North Carolina A&T, Eastern Michigan, and Mississippi Valley State.
Four New Orleans players are reportedly serving gambling-related suspensions also tied to the federal investigation. James White, Dae Dae Hunter, Jamond Vincent, and Jah Short haven’t played for the 4-25 Privateers since Jan. 27.
The investigation into Temple goes back to last season. Two Eastern Michigan games have been flagged this season for unusual betting activity.
Shane Hennen, who was arrested last month, is allegedly behind the widespread scheme that includes the Jontay Porter scandal.
