Fresno State Basketball and the NCAA are investigating the Bulldog program for potential ties with sports gambling, according to a Fresnoby report on Saturday. ESPN has checked the report.
Three players could be involved in the investigation. Fresno security guards Jalen Weaver and Theon Collins were announced for Saturday’s Bulldog game and could be tied to an internal investigation, according to the report.
According to the report, Guard Mikel Robinson is also involved in the investigation. Robinson last played on January 11th and was subsequently removed from the Bulldogs roster. Fresnoby cited an anonymous university source with knowledge of the research.
Reading required: Bracketing: First seed race at the NCAA Tournament gets hot this weekend the field gets hot
The university declined to comment on the issue, but issued a statement to Fresnoby, who said Weaver and Collins would not play while “eligibility” was being reviewed.
“Fresno state boys basketball student athletes Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins are being withheld from the competition as the university reviews eligibility issues,” a statement to Fresnoby read.
Weaver and Collins are two of Fresno State’s top scorers this season, averaging 12.2 and 12 points per game, respectively. Robinson averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game before playing the final game on the program.
Sports betting in any form is in violation of NCAA rules. The NCAA rules state that players may not be gambling in college, amateur or professional sports. Student-athletes must also refrain from providing information to those involved in sports betting. Violating NCAA rules regarding sports betting will render you unqualified for competition.
Fresno Bee added that gambling with teams outside of Fresno will result in a one-year ban from competition, according to the Fresno State Student Athlete Handbook. Betting on Fresno State Games creates permanent ineligibility.
Fresno is in a bad season in history as the Bulldogs entered the 1-15 mark on Saturday with a 5-22 record and Mountain West play.