Former NCAA Player Admits to Betting Scandal Driven by Money

Former NCAA basketball player Cedquavious “Dae Dae” Hunter publicly acknowledged his involvement in a betting scandal that led to his permanent ineligibility, citing financial desperation as a driving factor. Hunter’s comments come after the NCAA identified him as one of six players from various Division I schools who attempted to manipulate game outcomes.

In an interview on “Good Morning America” on October 30, Hunter revealed that he felt “money hungry” and sought “fast cash” after becoming a father. “I just had a child, and the school wasn’t paying me money,” he stated. His candid remarks follow an investigation that uncovered schemes involving players from the University of New Orleans, Mississippi Valley State, and Arizona State, all linked to point shaving.

The NCAA’s investigation revealed detailed communications among players. In Hunter’s case, investigators found text messages between him and teammate Dyquavian Short discussing a payoff of $5,000 and plans for shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. Phone records indicated that Hunter and Short had FaceTime calls with a known bettor on the same day as these discussions. The inquiry concluded that Hunter, Short, and another teammate, Jamond Vincent, manipulated their performances in seven games during the previous season.

During the interview, Hunter admitted to lying to NCAA investigators. “I told them I wasn’t doing it. I told them I didn’t know anything, but the whole time, I knew. I knew everything,” he confessed. He explained that he and his teammates used a specific phrase, “it’s time,” to indicate when they would begin altering their gameplay. Hunter described the tactic as making some shots while intentionally missing others to avoid suspicion.

When asked about the risks involved in their actions, he expressed confidence, stating, “95 percent, we were gonna get the job done.” The NCAA’s sanctions against Hunter and the other players followed a broader investigation into the activities of 13 players from six schools, initiated in September 2023.

The NCAA also took action against three former players from Eastern Michigan—Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson, and Jalen Terry—who were deemed permanently ineligible for not cooperating with the investigation. Notably, these players had already exhausted their NCAA eligibility.

While the NCAA has not established a connection between the ongoing investigation and recent federal indictments involving illegal gambling in the NBA, it remains a point of interest for observers. According to reports, federal investigators have not reached out to the NCAA regarding these matters.

In concluding his remarks, Hunter expressed remorse for his actions. He plans to advise his child against making the same mistakes he did, stating, “One day I’ll tell my child, ‘Don’t do what Daddy did. Don’t follow my steps and don’t do the same thing I did. Don’t make the mistake I made.’”