Representative Brett Guthrie has announced plans to investigate the NCAA following its recent decision to permit student-athletes to bet on professional sports. Guthrie expressed concerns about the potential conflicts of interest that could arise even from seemingly harmless bets, highlighting the risks this policy change poses to the integrity of collegiate athletics.
The NCAA’s announcement last Friday revealed that former Temple University basketball player Hysier Miller had placed bets on his own team’s games, including three bets against his team. This disclosure sparked significant controversy and prompted a thorough investigation into Miller’s betting activities. Miller’s attorney, Jason Balogna, responded promptly to the NCAA’s findings, emphasizing that there was no evidence of point-shaving or intentional manipulation of game outcomes by Miller.
Balogna explained that the NCAA conducted an extensive investigation before reaching its conclusions. “The key takeaway here is the NCAA found no evidence that Hysier Miller shaved points. The NCAA conducted a long and thorough investigation before reaching that conclusion. Hysier gave them full access to his cellphone and bank account, and he answered every question they asked him,” Balogna stated. He further clarified that Miller admitted to placing parlay bets but steadfastly denied any involvement in point-shaving schemes. The attorney noted that the NCAA accepted Miller’s honesty and cooperation throughout the process.
Temple University also released a statement underscoring the absence of any evidence linking Miller to point-shaving or other wrongdoing. The university emphasized its full cooperation with the NCAA’s enforcement staff during the investigation, providing access to all relevant witnesses, documents, and electronic devices. Temple’s statement read, “After a complete and thorough joint investigation, the NCAA found no evidence of point-shaving or any wrongdoing by the university. From the outset, Temple’s administration and Athletics Department staff fully cooperated with the NCAA’s enforcement staff — making available all relevant witnesses, documents and electronic devices — to ensure the process was thorough, transparent, and complete.”
The university acknowledged that the conduct related to the betting did not meet Temple’s standards or comply with NCAA bylaws. Upon learning of the situation, Temple took appropriate remedial actions and reaffirmed its commitment to comprehensive compliance education for all athletics personnel. This commitment aims to ensure continued adherence to NCAA and conference standards, safeguarding the integrity of its athletic programs.
Hysier Miller was a standout player for Temple during the 2023-24 season, leading the team with an average of 15.9 points per game. He transferred to Virginia Tech ahead of the 2024-25 season but was dismissed before the season began due to unspecified circumstances that predated his enrollment, according to Virginia Tech’s official announcement.
The NCAA provided a detailed timeline of the investigation, revealing that Miller placed 39 impermissible bets on Temple men’s basketball games from November 7, 2022, through March 2, 2024. Additionally, he placed three bets against his own team. The total amount wagered was $473. Importantly, Miller never placed standalone bets on Temple games; instead, his bets were incorporated into parlay bets.
As a result of these violations, the NCAA declared Miller permanently ineligible, citing breaches of honesty, sportsmanship, and sports betting rules. The NCAA’s enforcement staff and Miller agreed on the facts surrounding the betting, although Miller reportedly did not recall placing bets against his own team when interviewed.
The investigation into sports betting violations extended beyond Miller. Former Temple basketball student-athlete and special assistant to the men’s basketball coach Camren Wynter, as well as Jaylen Bond, a former men’s basketball graduate assistant, were also disciplined by the NCAA. These actions reflect the organization’s intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal gambling activities within college sports.
In recent months, the NCAA has increased its vigilance regarding sports betting among athletes. Last month, the organization announced it was investigating at least 30 current or former players over gambling allegations. In September, the NCAA banned three college basketball players implicated in betting on their own games at Fresno State and San Jose State, demonstrating its commitment to preserving the fairness and integrity of collegiate athletics.
The controversy surrounding Miller’s betting activities and the NCAA’s evolving stance on sports gambling highlight the complex challenges facing college sports today. While allowing student-athletes to bet on professional sports is a significant policy shift intended to adapt to changing attitudes toward gambling, it raises critical questions about the potential for conflicts of interest and the safeguarding of competitive integrity at the collegiate level.
Representative Guthrie’s planned investigation signals heightened