Fresno State men's basketball program under investigation for betting activity, sources say

Robert Kuwada, The Fresno Bee on Feb 22, 2025

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FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno State guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins will not play in the Bulldogs’ game on Saturday at Air Force for “eligibility” reasons, and university sources say the players could be tied to an internal investigation into alleged betting activity.

Guard Mykell Robinson, who has not played since a Jan. 11 loss to Nevada and has since been removed from the roster, also is involved in the investigation, said multiple university sources who have knowledge of the probe and were granted anonymity by The Fresno Bee because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about it.

University and athletics department officials declined to comment specifically for this story but released a written statement to The Bee ahead of the Air Force game: “Fresno State men’s basketball student-athletes Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins are being withheld from competition as the university reviews an eligibility matter.”

It is unclear the potential level of involvement of the players in any alleged betting, and whether it’s alleged that bets were placed, or placed on or against the Bulldogs. But the NCAA prohibits betting on games or providing information to any individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports betting activities involving intercollegiate, professional or amateur games or competition. That includes pools, parlays and prop bets, in-game betting and single-game wagers. The prohibitions apply to student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff members regardless of their sport or division of competition.

Student-athletes who violate those rules will be ineligible for competition, subject to appeal. The Fresno State student-athlete handbook also states that gambling on outside teams will result in ineligibility for at least one year and the loss of a season of competition, and gambling on Fresno State games will result in permanent ineligibility.

According to the sources, the university received information and is conducting an internal investigation.

Weaver and Collins have been two of the brighter spots in a lost season for the Bulldogs under first-year coach Vance Walberg, who is 5-22 and 1-15 in conference play. With four games remaining in the regular season the Bulldogs coach already has set school records for total losses and conference losses in a season.

The Bulldogs have dropped nine games in a row going into the game at Air Force, losing by an average of 14 points per game. Their record against the point spread this season is 14-11-2.

Weaver is the Bulldogs’ leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game. He leads the team in usage percentage and in shot attempts, but has hit only 38%, including 31.6% from the 3-point line. Collins is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.0 points per game with 4.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Robinson started 16 of the 17 games that he played in and logged significant minutes, averaging 33.5 per game. He was averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, but hit only 31.4% of his shots including 32.1% inside the 3-point line.

Sports wagering has become a pressing issue for the NCAA, which in 2023 conducted a survey of more than 3,500, 18- to 22-year-olds and found that 58% of respondents have participated in at least one sports betting activity.

According to the NCAA, 24% of male student-athletes and 5% of female student-athletes said they have wagered on sports within the past year, and 49% of male student-athletes and 23% of female student-athletes who bet on sports think they can consistently win and make a lot of money making wagers.