Urgent Update: Ex-Eastern Michigan Players Decline Betting Probe

BREAKING: Three former men’s basketball players from Eastern Michigan University have just refused to cooperate with an NCAA investigation into potential sports betting violations linked to multiple Eagles games during the 2024-25 season. The NCAA confirmed this significant development on Friday, raising serious concerns over the integrity of college athletics.

The players—Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson, and Jalen Terry—who are no longer part of the program, had their phones imaged on January 29, 2024, as part of the inquiry initiated by suspicious betting patterns observed during Eastern Michigan’s game against Central Michigan on January 14, 2024. Despite being contacted for interviews, they declined to participate and, through legal counsel, requested the destruction of the phone data, according to the NCAA’s announcement.

This refusal to engage with the investigation is a serious violation of NCAA rules and could lead to severe consequences, including permanent loss of eligibility. Although the three players no longer have eligibility remaining, the NCAA’s Division I committee on infractions emphasized, “When individuals choose not to cooperate—particularly when cases involve potential integrity issues—those choices can and will be met with serious consequences.”

The NCAA’s ongoing investigation is part of a larger scrutiny that includes 13 athletes across six schools for alleged gambling violations. Suspicious betting was detected on the first halves of three Eastern Michigan games last season: against Wright State on December 21, at Toledo on January 7, and at Central Michigan on January 14. In all three cases, sportsbooks noted unusual betting interest against Eastern Michigan, with the Eagles trailing at halftime in each instance.

Terry was the standout player for Eastern Michigan last season, averaging 16.6 points per game, while Nelson followed closely with 16.1 points per game and was the team’s leading rebounder. The duo previously played together at DePaul before transferring to Eastern Michigan, and Nelson has since signed with Swiss champions Fribourg Olympic in July.

The implications of this investigation are significant, as the lack of cooperation from these players hampers the NCAA’s ability to ascertain whether any sports betting violations occurred. The integrity of college sports hangs in the balance as authorities continue to probe these allegations.

As this story develops, fans and stakeholders in college sports are urged to stay informed. The NCAA’s actions and the potential consequences for those involved could reshape the landscape of college athletics moving forward.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation as we bring you the latest developments on the unfolding investigation.