WASHINGTON: The US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has permanently banned six former men’s basketball players for their involvement in betting-related game manipulation and for providing false information during investigations, the governing body announced this weekend.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions issued three separate rulings following investigations at the University of New Orleans, Mississippi Valley State, and Arizona State University. While the cases were unrelated, each involved players supplying information to known bettors and manipulating games for gambling purposes.
“As a result of the sports betting violations, the student-athletes all violated ethical conduct rules, triggering permanent ineligibility,” the NCAA said, adding that all six had knowingly misled investigators.
Multiple Universities, One Common Violation
The NCAA confirmed that each university reached a negotiated resolution with enforcement officials. The Committee on Infractions approved findings but did not impose institutional penalties, as the violations were committed by student-athletes who are no longer eligible to compete.
These rulings follow a September NCAA decision that also resulted in lifetime bans for three Division I players implicated in separate betting manipulation cases, underscoring a growing integrity crisis in college athletics.
Broader Gambling Scandal Extends to Professional Basketball
The college sanctions come amid a widening sports betting scandal in the United States. In October, federal prosecutors charged several current and former NBA players and coaches in two major criminal cases involving insider betting and organized crime networks.
Those charged included former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Authorities say the cases reveal a deepening overlap between illegal gambling and professional sports.
The NCAA, meanwhile, reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on sports betting, warning all member institutions to strengthen monitoring and education to protect the integrity of college competition.
