NCAA Basketball Player Banned for Gambling Scheme Explains Why He Did It

The NCAA has spent the past several years staring down the barrel of an escalating wave of gambling-related scandals. Many of the young athletes involved never imagined they would lose their eligibility, their scholarships or their careers over a gambling scheme. And they never thought they would be caught.

A recent instance included the ban of Cedquavious “Dae Dae” Hunter, a former shooting guard for the University of New Orleans who sat down for an interview with Good Morning America to explain why he agreed to manipulate his own performance for a sports betting scheme. Hunter, once known for his three-point shooting, is now banned for life after NCAA investigators uncovered coordinated point-shaving during the 2024-25 season.

Hunter described the financial and emotional pressures that made the scheme feel, at the time, like a solution. His story comes as the NCAA increases integrity monitoring and as more athletes across various sports face consequences for gambling-related activity. 

Hunter’s explanation for agreeing to point-shaving scheme

Along with teammates Dyquavian Short and Jamond Vincent, Hunter was approached by a Las Vegas bettor who promised cash if the players could help ensure their team lost by certain margins. Text messages later reviewed by investigators showed the players receiving $5,000 payments for their participation.

Hunter explained that he felt cornered financially, telling ABC’s Will Reeve: “I just had a child … The school wasn’t paying me. So, like I was trying to get money to actually take care of my child.” 

The stress of new parenthood, limited income while focusing on an athletic career and the pressure to support his family created the conditions where a “fast cash” offer felt like a legitimate solution. Hunter admitted he initially lied to the NCAA, hoping he could get out of it, before eventually confessing.

Hunter’s willingness to speak publicly about the loss of his NCAA eligibility, expulsion from school and permanent damage to his athletic career serves as a valuable warning for countless up-and-coming college athletes. When asked what he would tell his child about this chapter of his life, Hunter answered: “Don’t do what daddy did.”

This story also highlights new dynamics in the age of “NIL” (Name Image & Likeness), when many college athletes at top levels are now being paid directly. At top-tier programs, athletes can often earn anywhere from five to seven figures through their own endorsement deals and even now direct payments from the school. However, at relatively lower-tier athletic schools like the University of New Orleans or McNeese State, athletes are much less likely to see notable payments coming their way. Therefore, they may be more susceptible to corruption and more likely to be approached by bad actors who can still wager thousands on their games, which are often outside of the national spotlight. 

How the NCAA Basketball gambling scheme started

According to the NCAA investigation, the scheme took place during the 2024-25 season and involved at least seven games. The bettor allegedly offered Hunter and his teammates thousands of dollars to intentionally underperform or manipulate scoring late in games to ensure losses “against the spread.”

The investigation report described one example: a December 28, 2024 matchup against McNeese State, where the spread was 23.5 points. New Orleans lost by 25. Hunter, typically a reliable shooter and starter, played only 14 minutes and shot 1-for-4 from the field.

The scheme unraveled when another student-athlete overheard the players discussing their plan to “stop scoring” near the end of the game. 

In a statement to ABC News, the NCAA emphasized that while it has the nation’s largest integrity tracking system, they need help from the outside to keep these situations to a minimum. The organization noted the importance of education but stressed that betting operators also bear responsibility for detecting suspicious activity.

Findings and ruling from the NCAA investigation

After reviewing game data, communication records and witness interviews, here were the NCAA’s findings:

• Hunter intentionally manipulated his performance to help bettors in at least seven games.
  
  

• He and two teammates accepted $5,000 payments tied to point-shaving outcomes.
  
  

• The athletes lied initially before admitting involvement.
  
  

• All three players were banned from the NCAA and removed from the University of New Orleans roster.

The ruling was one of the most severe in recent NCAA history and came at a time when multiple leagues are dealing with similar challenges.

More NCAA athletes banned for gambling activity 

Hunter’s case is not an isolated incident. Two former NCAA wrestlers from Rutgers, Nicholas Raimo and Michael Cetta, were arrested in what authorities described as a mafia-led illegal gambling ring in New Jersey. The broader operation involved 14 people and transferred an estimated $2 million in gambling transactions between 2022 and 2024.

Investigators said the ring was run by individuals tied to the Lucchese crime family, with Raimo and Cetta allegedly working as “sub-agents” who recruited bettors and collected proceeds.

The charges for those involved include first-degree racketeering, first-degree money laundering, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree bookmaking offenses and possession of gambling records. It is worth noting that these wrestlers have not been accused of betting on their sport or impacting their performances for betting purposes. This cases focuses more on illegal bookmaking. 

Penalties for these offenses carry potential sentences of 10-20 years and fines up to $500,000. It’s a sad truth that young and vulnerable athletes are being pulled into illegal betting networks without fully understanding the consequences.

Confidential support for College Athletes with gambling struggles

Integrity concerns aside, sports betting is rampant on college campuses nowadays. With the increased accessibility of online platforms and the normalization of an activity that used to be much more limited, sports wagering participation has exploded among college students. Younger bettors are more likely to display risky gambling behaviors and experience gambling-related harms long term.

Given that new reality, it’s critical to know where to turn if these types of issues arise in yourself or someone you know. Birches Health provides confidential, evidence-based treatment for Gambling Addiction nationwide. Virtual care is with licensed clinicians specially trained in treating gambling-related problems, with virtual access available across the country (all 50 states) for college athletes and students. Treatment can be tailored to the unique pressures of sports culture, academic demands, team expectations and financial stress. If you or someone you know may be struggling, specialized recovery support is available.

To speak with a clinician or learn more:

Book an appointment with Birches Health

Call 833-483-3838

Email help@bircheshealth.com