Fresno State basketball players bet on games, themselves. Now ineligible, NCAA says

Former Fresno State basketball players Jalen Weaver and Mykell Robinson, who were at the center of a gambling probe last season, have had eligibility revoked for future competition by the NCAA in a ruling that was handed down Tuesday morning

Stephen Vasquez, a former Fresno State walk-on who played last season at San Jose State, also was ruled ineligible following what the NCAA called a coordinated effort to bet on their own games, one another’s games, and/or provide information that enabled others to bet on games.

“Two of the student-athletes then manipulated their performances to ensure that certain bets were won,” the NCAA committee on infractions said, in its ruling. “As a result, they violated ethical conduct rules, triggering permanent ineligibility.”

Fresno State in a statement acknowledged a secondary, Level III violation. It was not sanctioned by the NCAA. In the statement, it said, “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. The university proactively shared reported information concerning sports wagering activity with the NCAA and worked collaboratively with the NCAA staff throughout the investigation. 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 the Fresno State athletics’ culture and is grateful to conclude this matter.”

Robinson was suspended from the team in January and later removed from the roster. Weaver was held out of a Feb. 22 game at Air Force and dismissed from the team five days later. He was Fresno State’s leading scorer at the time, averaging 12.5 points per game.

Guard Zaon Collins also was under investigation but was cleared by the NCAA and returned to the team after sitting out the game at Air Force.

NCAA investigation into Fresno State players gambling

The NCAA enforcement staff started an investigation after Fresno State and a sports betting integrity monitor informed it of suspicious proposition bets placed on Robinson, and during that probe uncovered evidence that the three players had shared information about individual betting lines for the purpose of manipulating outcomes to win prop bets.

Robinson and Vasquez had roomed together at Fresno State in 2023-24.

“In January 2025, Robinson and Vasquez — who was then competing for San Jose State — discussed over text message that Robinson planned to underperform in several statistical categories during one regular-season game,” the NCAA said, in its ruling. “Robinson, Vasquez and a third party bet a combined $2,200 on Robinson for his under-line performance in those categories. As a result of Robinson’s underperformance, a $15,950 payout was redistributed among those who had bet.

“During that same season, Robinson also placed 13 daily fantasy sports over-line and under-line prop bets, totaling $454, on parlays that included his own performance. Robinson did not win on all of the bets but did collect $618 on one occasion.

“Notably, Robinson placed multiple bets on Weaver — who was Robinson’s teammate at Fresno State — including two bets placed before a game in late December 2024 after he and Weaver exchanged information about their respective betting lines. As a result of that coordination, Weaver also placed a $50 prop bet on a parlay for himself, Robinson and a third student-athlete, and he won $260.”

Vazquez and Robinson also did not cooperate with the NCAA investigation.