Fresno State Basketball Athletes Participated in Daily Fantasy Sports Competitions Involving Their Own Game Statistics
Fresno State Basketball Players Under Scrutiny for Daily Fantasy Sports Gambling
In the latest gamble-related investigation among college athletes, two Fresno State basketball players — Mykell Robinson and Jalen Weaver — find themselves in hot water for participating in daily fantasy sports (DFS) games that revolved around their on-court performances.
According to a report by ESPN, Robinson, a junior forward, and Weaver, a senior guard, bet on games in which they were playing.
Robinson's involvement in the DFS markets centered around his rebounds and scoring points. After his last game with the team on January 11, he dropped off the college roster. In a game against New Mexico on New Year's Eve, Weaver partook in a $50 DFS contest alongside his points tally. He predicted over 11 points and scored 13 during the match.
Speaking to ESPN, Weaver acknowledged his lapse in judgment, stating, "It was a dumb move, and I'm paying the price for it now." He clarified that his intentions were not to sabotage the season or place bets against his team or any "under" bets. Weaver is no longer part of the Fresno State squad.
The university's athletics department identified Weaver and Robinson's involvement in the betting scheme after spotting a text thread discussing their activities.
Brushing Up on the Rules
While college athletes are not explicitly forbidden from participating in DFS related to their own performances according to NCAA rules, there are underlying regulations aiming to maintain the integrity of sports. NCAA employees and staff are barred from engaging in DFS activities involving college sports, as demonstrated in the case of Sam Hancock, a former Baylor official penalized for wagering on DFS platforms associated with college sports[1][2][4].
Although college athletes are subject to rules restricting them from betting on college sports games featuring themselves, the NCAA's primary concern is to ensure the authenticity of sports competitions, which could encompass discouraging or prohibiting DFS bets related to personal performances. However, as DFS is generally considered a game of skill and legal under U.S. federal law, state regulations may vary[5].
Sources:
- ESPN
- The Score
- Yahoo Sports
- NCAA
- ALDF
- Jalen Weaver, the senior guard at Fresno State, admitted to partaking in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, revealing a growing trend in gambling among college athletes.
- Despite Robinson and Weaver's participation in DFS games not explicitly being against NCAA rules regarding their own performances, the university's athletics department recognized the importance of upholding the integrity of sports, as demonstrated in the case of Sam Hancock, a former Baylor official.
- The NCAA has regulations in place to discourage or even prohibit DFS bets related to personal performances, as the authenticity of sports competitions is paramount.
- As documented in an ESPN report, Mykell Robinson, a junior forward at Fresno State, used DFS markets to wager on his own rebounds and scoring points, potentially disrupting the team's performance dynamics.
- The gambling trend among college athletes, illustrated by Fresno State's basketball players, highlights the need for stricter guidelines and education about the potential implications of participating in DFS contests.
