NCAA Bans Three Ex-Fresno State Basketball Players for Gambling

^{Fresno State's Mykell Robinson is one of three NCAA men's basketball players recently banned from college sports due to gambling violations. (Photo: Gary Kazanjian / AP)}

The NCAA announced Wednesday that it was permanently revoking the eligibility of three Division I men’s basketball players after discovering that they participated in gambling activities in violation of the organization’s rules for college athletes.

The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions imposed lifetime bans on Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver, all of whom played for the Fresno State Bulldogs during their collegiate careers.

NCAA Finds ‘Coordinated Effort’ to Manipulate Performances

Both Weaver and Robinson were held out of games by Fresno State in early 2025 during an investigation into gambling activity. Vasquez, who had already transferred from Fresno to San Jose State University, was removed from that school’s basketball roster in late February.

According to the NCAA, Robinson texted Vasquez, his former roommate at Fresno State about his plan to “underperform in several statistical categories” during a game. Robinson, Vasquez, and a third person bet $2,200 on Under wagers for Robinson’s performance, winning $15,950 as a result.

The NCAA also found that Robinson also placed multiple bets on Weaver’s performance, and that the two exchanged information about various bets. Weaver won $260 on prop bets as a result.

“As part of a coordinated effort, the student-athletes bet on their own games, one another’s games, and/or provided information that enabled others to do so during the 2024-25 regular season,” the NCAA said in a statement. “Two of the student-athletes then manipulated their performances to ensure that certain bets were won. As a result, they violated ethical conduct rules, triggering permanent ineligibility.”

A third active Fresno State player, Zaon Collins, was also held out of games but was not named in the NCAA’s announcement on Wednesday. Collins returned to play in Fresno State’s final three games of the 2024-25 season and faced no NCAA discipline.

“Fresno State holds itself to the highest standards of integrity, character and sportsmanship, and has an unwavering commitment to compliance with all NCAA and conference rules,” Fresno State said in a statement. “While the eligibility consequences for the former student-athletes are significant, the case ultimately resulted in a Level III/Secondary violation and no sanctions for the institution. The University continues to have confidence in Fresno State Athletics’ culture and is grateful to conclude this matter.”

Basketball Gambling Scandals Spreading Beyond NCAA

Several states have banned prop betting on college sports, seeing the individualized wagers as a unique threat to game integrity at the amateur level. At the same time, the NCAA is considering changing its rules to focus on protecting integrity rather than betting outright. Under the potential changes, players and team staff could legally wager on professional sports as long as it is done so legally.

College sports aren’t alone in dealing with gambling controversies. On Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league is investigating gambling allegations against Malik Beasley, who lost a free agent offer from the Detroit Season this offseason. The probe comes from a federal investigation into the gambling ring that resulted in a permanent ban for former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.

Sources familiar with the matter told ESPN that the league investigation is related to allegations of suspicious betting on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season, when Beasley was playing with the Milwaukee Bucks. In one instance, the odds on Beasley to record under 2.5 rebounds quickly moved from +120 to -250 after unusual wagering on the under. Those bets ultimately lost as Beasley ended up with six rebounds in that game -- but it still raised red flags about gambling activity.