Multiple University of New Orleans men’s basketball players are under investigation for potential NCAA violations related to sports gambling, according to longtime college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman.
The Privateers have held out four of their top five scorers since they fell to Incarnate Word on Jan. 27 for a violation of team rules. According to Goodman and the Associated Press, they are under investigation by both the NCAA and the school for sports gambling violations.
James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter and Jamond Vincent are the four suspended players in question. White, the team’s leading scorer, has averaged 19.2 points per game. Short, Hunter and Vincent have all averaged at least 7.8 points per game this season, too.
Specifics on those violations are not yet known. It’s unclear if they are being accused of betting on games that they played in.
This marks just the latest gambling-related probe into the college basketball world in recent weeks. Fresno State sat two of its top scorers Saturday after reports of wagering activity. A third player, who is no longer on the team’s roster, is part of that investigation, too.
Three other programs — North Carolina A&T, Mississippi Valley State and Eastern Michigan — were linked to the federal investigation into a gambling ring earlier this month. That investigation started with former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who has since been permanently banned from the NBA. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. That expanded to involve longtime guard Terry Rozier, too. The NBA has said it investigated Rozier and did not find a violation.
The investigation is also looking into a potential point-shaving incident with a former Temple player who allegedly bet on games that he played in last season.
‘Master P’ takes over as president of basketball operations
Amid the gambling scandal, New Orleans announced on Wednesday that Percy “Master P” Miller will take over as the program’s new president of basketball operations.
The rapper and entertainer played basketball in college and briefly in the NBA, and he coached an AAU team — which included players like DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, Lance Stephenson and Jalen Suggs.
“As a kid growing up in New Orleans, I can honestly say that basketball changed and saved my life,” Miller said, via WDSU. “At that time, UNO was one of the best programs in the country. It was all about Privateer Nation, and there was so much excitement on the Lakefront. As President of Basketball Operations, I am committed to bringing back that winning tradition to NOLA’s Team.
“But this is bigger than the game—it’s about educating and creating future leaders at the same time. I’m here to make sure that these young student-athletes have the opportunities, resources and mentorship to succeed on and off the court. UNO is our culture, our community, our city, our team and our family. It’s time to bring the love and passion back to New Orleans basketball.”
The Privateers hold just a 4-25 record heading into Saturday’s game at UT Rio Grande. They have lost 11 straight dating back to before the players were suspended, and they are tied for last in the Southland Conference standings.
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