(Patrika English News): College basketball is once again confronting the specter of gambling. A new investigation has implicated players from at least six programs, including Arizona State University, where Duke legend Bobby Hurley is head coach.
According to reports, 13 players from Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, NC A&T, and Mississippi Valley State are linked to gambling-related violations. The news places unwelcome attention on Hurley’s Sun Devils, a program already under pressure in the competitive Pac-12 environment.
A Painful Echo of History
College basketball has been scarred by gambling scandals before. In the 1960s, a point-shaving investigation rocked the ACC, ensnaring UNC, NC State, and Wake Forest. The fallout led to the cancellation of the Dixie Classic, the resignation of coach Frank McGuire, and nearly crippled UNC’s program until Dean Smith rebuilt it into a powerhouse.
This latest case revives those painful memories — though none of the current ACC programs are implicated.
Jontay Porter Connection
The scandal also touches former NBA player Jontay Porter, who was banned for life from the league earlier this year for gambling violations and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Porter, reportedly undergoing treatment for gambling addiction, has now surfaced as a figure in this wider college investigation.
His involvement draws comparisons to infamous gambling cases in SPORTS, such as former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter, though Porter’s circumstances appear different.
What It Means for Arizona State
For Bobby Hurley, whose family name is synonymous with college basketball excellence, the scandal is a personal and professional blow. The scope of Arizona State’s involvement remains under review, but even an indirect connection could damage the program’s reputation at a time when the NCAA has tightened its stance on gambling integrity.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear how the implicated schools and players will be sanctioned.