Fresno State men’s basketball program is facing a major controversy as multiple players are accused of violating NCAA rules by placing bets on games they played in. According to ABC 30 Action News, two of the three implicated athletes allegedly wagered on their own performances.
The fallout has been swift… forward Mykell Robinson has been dismissed from the team, while guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins have been suspended indefinitely as the investigation unfolds.
Reports indicate that Robinson and Weaver placed bets predicting their team’s points and rebounds totals would fall below expectations… a direct violation of NCAA regulations, which strictly prohibit student-athletes from gambling on any sporting events.
Fresno State head coach Vance Walberg reportedly discovered the suspicious activity and alerted university officials, prompting an internal probe that led to NCAA involvement. As the investigation continues, Fresno State informed ESPN that both Weaver and Collins are currently “being withheld from competition as the University reviews an eligibility matter.”
This scandal comes amid a disastrous season for the Bulldogs, who have lost 10 straight games and currently hold a 5-23 record—the worst in program history. With Robinson no longer on the roster since Jan. 11, the team was left severely shorthanded, dressing only seven players in their 72-69 overtime loss to Air Force on Saturday.
Weaver and Collins are two of the Bulldogs’ top performers this season, with Weaver averaging 12.5 points per game, while Collins contributes 12.0 points and leads the team with 4.7 assists per game. Their absence could further derail Fresno State’s already rocky campaign.
Fresno State Athletics has declined to provide additional comments, stating that they “will not be making any further statements at this time.”
As the NCAA deepens its investigation, the future of the implicated players remains uncertain. However, this scandal is already sending shockwaves through the program, leaving Fresno State basketball in turmoil.
