Fresno State men’s basketball and the NCAA are investigating the Bulldogs’ program for potential ties to sports gambling, according to a report by the Fresno Bee on Saturday. ESPN confirmed the report.
Three players are potentially involved in the investigation. Fresno State guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins were announced as out for the Bulldogs game on Saturday due to ‘eligibility reasons,’ according to the report, and could be allegedly tied to the internal investigation.
According to the report, guard Mykell Robinson is also involved in the investigation. Robinson last played on Jan. 11 and has since been removed from the Bulldogs’ roster. The Fresno Bee cited anonymous university sources with knowledge of the investigation..
The university declined to comment on the matter, however, released a statement to the Fresno Bee stating Weaver and Collins won’t play while an ‘eligibility matter’ is reviewed.
“Fresno State men’s basketball student-athletes Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins are being withheld from competition as the university reviews an eligibility matter,’ the statement to the Fresno Bee read.
Weaver and Collins are two of Fresno State’s top scorers this season, averaging 12.2 and 12 points per game, respectively. Robinson was averaging 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game before playing his last game with the program.
Sports betting in any form violates NCAA rules, which states players may not gamble on college, amateur or professional sports. Student athletes must also refrain from providing information to those involved with sports betting. Violating NCAA rules regarding sports betting results in becoming ineligible for competition.
The Fresno Bee added that, according to the Fresno State student-athlete handbook, gambling on teams other than Fresno State results in a one-year ban from competition. Betting on Fresno State games results in permanent ineligibility.
Fresno State is amid a historically bad season, as the Bulldogs entered Saturday with a 5-22 record and a 1-15 mark in Mountain West play.