NCAA Bans Six Former Players for Betting Scheme Involvement

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Six former men’s college basketball players have been permanently banned by the NCAA for their involvement in gambling schemes, the organization announced on Friday. The players manipulated game outcomes and provided insider information to bettors, prompting widespread concern within college athletics.

The players included Dae Dae Hunter, Dyquavian Short, and Jamond Vincent from the University of New Orleans, Donovan Sanders, and Alvin Stredic from Mississippi Valley State, and B.J. Freeman from Arizona State. The NCAA found that these individuals participated in schemes to intentionally lose games for betting advantages.

According to NCAA findings, Hunter, Short, and Vincent engaged in performance manipulation over seven games during the 2024-25 season. Reports from the NCAA stated that they attempted to lose by margins greater than betting spreads. Their involvement included collusion with outside bettors who provided financial incentives.

At Mississippi Valley State, Sanders and Stredic were reportedly approached with offers to throw a game against Tulsa on January 6, 2025. Sanders also discussed plans to manipulate another game with a teammate. These actions raised suspicion, leading to investigations by both the NCAA and the FBI.

In the Arizona State case, Freeman shared confidential information with former teammates and his girlfriend, enabling their involvement in betting linked to daily fantasy sports.

None of the players are currently enrolled at their respective schools. The NCAA stated that they were uncooperative during the investigation and provided misleading information.

The unfolding scandal ties into a broader investigation into gambling violations across NCAA basketball, with the NCAA confirming that over 30 current and former players are under scrutiny.

This scandal marks a significant turning point in NCAA history as the organization seeks to uphold the integrity of college sports against the growing prevalence of gambling.