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NCAA Investigates 13 Former Basketball Players For Sports Betting Violations

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 15:30 GMT by Fox Sports
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NCAA Expands Investigation into 13 Former College Basketball Players for Betting Violations

The NCAA has broadened its ongoing scrutiny of college‑basketball athletes who were caught placing wagers on college games, announcing that it is now probing the conduct of 13 former players for possible violations of the association’s strict betting rules. The investigation follows a larger crackdown that began in 2021, in which the NCAA uncovered a network of student‑athletes who profited from insider information and exploited loopholes to bet on games that involved their own schools. The current probe, detailed by Fox Sports, expands the list of suspects and underscores the organization’s growing emphasis on protecting the integrity of college sport in an era of expanding sports‑betting markets.

How the Investigation Began

The NCAA’s sports‑betting investigation started with a 2021 inquiry that led to the discovery of a group of 12 former basketball players who had placed bets on college games, some of which involved their own teams. The association found that these athletes had used privileged information gleaned from their time on the team—such as knowledge of injuries, lineup changes, or coaching decisions—to gain an advantage in betting markets. As a result, the NCAA imposed sanctions on a number of the individuals and institutions involved.

The current probe builds on those findings. While the 2021 investigation focused on a handful of schools—including the University of Arkansas, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Texas—this new round extends to players from eight additional programs. The NCAA has reportedly received new intelligence, through a combination of anonymous tips and public data mining, that points to a broader network of athletes who have engaged in similar betting practices.

Who Is Under Investigation?

Fox Sports lists the 13 former players who are currently the subject of NCAA scrutiny. While the full roster of names is not published in the article—respecting privacy concerns and ongoing investigations—the piece identifies several key institutions that are represented among the suspects:

• Arizona State University – Two former men’s basketball players were identified in the latest probe. According to the article, one of the men allegedly placed multiple bets on games involving the Sun Devils, while the other reportedly tipped off friends and family about insider information.

• University of Kentucky – A former guard from the Wildcats is among the players under investigation. The article notes that he allegedly bet on Kentucky games during his tenure, raising questions about whether he used knowledge of the team’s strategies.

• University of Texas at Austin – The Texas Longhorns were also implicated in the latest inquiry, with a former player allegedly placing bets on the program’s own games.

• University of Miami – Another player from the Hurricanes has come under the NCAA’s scrutiny for alleged betting on Miami games.

In addition to these institutions, the investigation includes athletes from other schools that were part of the earlier 2021 inquiry. The NCAA’s public statements emphasize that the investigation covers individuals who participated in the 2019‑2020 and 2020‑2021 seasons—two years when the NCAA’s “No Betting” policy was firmly in place.

The NCAA’s Betting Policy

Central to the investigation is the NCAA’s longstanding policy that prohibits student‑athletes from betting on any sport, whether at the collegiate level or on professional leagues. The rule, codified in the NCAA’s “Policy and Rules for College Athletes,” states that any form of betting—direct or indirect—constitutes a violation of amateurism. Because the NCAA is governed by a collective agreement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, any such violation can lead to penalties ranging from loss of eligibility, forfeiture of games, to formal sanctions against the institution.

The policy is enforced by the NCAA’s “Compliance Division,” which collaborates with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs to monitor student‑athlete behavior. When a potential violation is suspected, the compliance office launches an investigation, which may involve interviewing the athlete, reviewing bank records and betting accounts, and coordinating with law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected.

Potential Consequences

If the investigation finds that the players indeed engaged in prohibited betting activity, the NCAA could impose a range of sanctions. For the athletes, the most common penalties are:

• Loss of Eligibility – The player could be barred from participating in future NCAA competitions, effectively ending their college career.
• Restitution – Athletes may be required to repay any winnings earned from illicit bets, as well as a portion of the money spent on the bets.
• Probation – Athletes could be placed on a probationary period during which they must comply with strict behavioral guidelines.

In addition, the institutions whose athletes were implicated may face sanctions such as:

• Financial Penalties – Fines that can range from a few thousand dollars to substantial sums depending on the severity of the violation.
• Reputational Damage – Negative media coverage can hurt recruiting efforts and alumni support.
• Coaching and Staff Penalties – In some cases, coaches or staff who facilitated or overlooked the betting activities can be reprimanded or suspended.

The NCAA has historically emphasized the importance of protecting the “integrity of competition,” and its recent crackdown reflects an increased willingness to enforce its rules in light of the rapidly expanding sports‑betting landscape.

Why the NCAA Is Taking a Harder Stance

The NCAA’s intensified focus on betting violations is partially driven by the rapid legalization of sports betting across the United States. With more than 30 states now allowing legal wagering, the opportunities for athletes to profit from insider information have increased dramatically. According to a Fox Sports analysis linked in the article, the rise in sports‑betting has coincided with an uptick in the number of cases reported to the NCAA’s compliance offices.

Furthermore, the NCAA’s own “Broke” investigative series—an internal audit initiative—has flagged a number of athletes who have been “engaged in betting, gambling, and other non‑compliant activities.” The organization has therefore committed to a “zero‑tolerance” policy that treats betting violations with the same seriousness as academic fraud or drug violations.

The new investigation into 13 former players is the latest manifestation of that policy. As the NCAA’s public relations team has noted, the association “must do everything in its power to protect the integrity of college sports, especially in an era where the temptation to bet is almost always within reach.”

The Bigger Picture

This probe highlights a broader debate about the relationship between collegiate athletics and the burgeoning sports‑betting industry. Critics argue that the NCAA’s restrictions are overly punitive and do not reflect the realities of modern sports, where athletes and fans alike have access to an enormous amount of data and betting options. Others contend that the NCAA’s rules are essential to preserving the amateur nature of college sport and preventing corruption.

The outcome of the investigation into the 13 former players will likely set an important precedent. If the NCAA opts for lenient penalties or no action, it could embolden other athletes to bet on games. Conversely, severe sanctions will send a strong message that the NCAA will not tolerate violations, even in a world where betting is increasingly mainstream.

As Fox Sports notes, the investigation is still ongoing, and the NCAA has not yet released a final report. The association is expected to release a decision within the next few months. In the meantime, the university community—fans, administrators, coaches, and athletes—will continue to watch closely as the NCAA asserts its role as the guardian of college sports integrity in the age of legal sports betting.