The NCAA says former Abilene Christian basketball player Airion Simmons broke the association’s gambling rules after investigators determined he shared confidential team information with bettors and agreed to influence his play during a 2024 game against Tarleton State.
The ruling, released Friday (May 15) by the Division I Committee on Infractions, centered on a March 20, 2024, matchup between Abilene Christian University and Tarleton State University. NCAA officials said Simmons accepted $3,500 after agreeing to “play[ing] bad” during the game as part of a betting scheme tied to outside gamblers.
According to the negotiated resolution, the case surfaced after another former Abilene Christian player disclosed details while attending a Division II school in September 2025. The player told coaches and NCAA officials that Simmons and another teammate discussed “a way to get paid to lose the game” while they were playing video games before the Tarleton State matchup.
Investigators were also told about a FaceTime call involving Simmons, another teammate and a gambler identified in NCAA records as “Known Bettor 1.” During that conversation, the bettor allegedly directed the players to lose the game so wagers placed on the contest would pay out.
NCAA faces scrutiny around sports betting in college athletics amid Abilene Christian case
When NCAA enforcement staff later questioned Simmons, he admitted communicating with another gambler before the game. Simmons said “Known Bettor 2” contacted him through direct messages and later offered money in exchange for affecting the outcome of the contest. Investigators said Simmons also revealed information about his injured hand and disclosed that another teammate would not play.
The NCAA said Simmons appeared in only 11 minutes before leaving because of the hand injury. He later acknowledged meeting someone in a Dallas outlet mall parking lot to collect cash connected to the arrangement. Investigators said Simmons admitted keeping the full payment instead of sharing it with teammates.
Federal prosecutors later filed criminal charges tied to the case. The NCAA said Simmons and two known bettors were indicted January 14, 2026, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on charges including bribery in sports wagering contests, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The association classified Simmons’ conduct as a Level I violation, the NCAA’s most serious category involving ethical conduct and sportsmanship rules. Officials said his actions violated policies designed to protect competitive integrity.
Simmons is no longer part of Abilene Christian’s men’s basketball program and is not currently participating in NCAA athletics.
The case arrives as college athletics faces mounting concerns over gambling-related misconduct. We reported on a wider NCAA point-shaving investigation involving multiple athletes and separate cases where six student-athletes were expelled after allegedly manipulating bets. Another recent NCAA study drew attention to growing harassment and abuse directed at players by angry sports bettors online.
Simmons declined to participate in the negotiated resolution process, though the Committee on Infractions approved the agreement and finalized the penalties on Friday.
Featured image: NCAA / Abilene Christian via ACU Sports website
The post Former Abilene Christian basketball player permanently banned after NCAA manipulation findings appeared first on ReadWrite.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
All rights reserved to : USAGOLDMIES . www.usagoldmines.com
You can Enjoy surfing our website categories and read more content in many fields you may like .
Why USAGoldMines ?
USAGoldMines is a comprehensive website offering the latest in financial, crypto, and technical news. With specialized sections for each category, it provides readers with up-to-date market insights, investment trends, and technological advancements, making it a valuable resource for investors and enthusiasts in the fast-paced financial world.