If the NCAA could be boiled down to one thing that wasn't fostering some of the soon-to-be NBA's best, it's a hearty gambling problem.
And that premonition has been proved right once again in the NCAA's latest gambling bust. As reported by the New York Post, former Iona player Adam Nije Jr. admitted that he used to tell bettors he'd intentionally tank games.
An NCAA ruling that was released Thursday went into detail about what went down. He said that he'd shave points off the first game of two-game legs on two separate occasions in December 2024.
It's a pretty lucrative scheme, all considered. If a team tanks in the first round, people will be likely to bet against them. So when the tables turn, and the team actually tries in the second instance, the money flows in.
The whole thing was found out after a different wagering investigation uncovered more information. A source from that case told the NCAA that Nije Jr. would also communicate with bettors.
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Things were further brought to light when the Mississippi Gaming Commission revealed a bettor had placed three wagers for Iona to bust out in games.
Nije admitted to telling the bettor he'd "throw" the first half. But he never went through with it, prompting threats from the bettor.
So he said he'd throw another game — but he stands by his claim he never manipulated that one, either.
In any case, this is all a pretty big violation of every anti-gambling statute the NCAA has.
In a statement, the NCAA explained that "the act of sharing information with a bettor is prohibited by NCAA legislation and is treated the same as point shaving from an NCAA enforcement perspective."
Following their decision to deem his violations as Level I, he's no longer eligible to play in the NCAA. That means his future's been jeopardised in a pretty big way.
His page on Iona University's athletics site has been ripped down. His transfer to Hampton University in Virginia still hangs in the balance.
What a sad case.
