A college basketball star who got caught in a point-shaving scandal and was subsequently banned from the NCAA is speaking out for the first time.
Cedquavious ‘Dae Dae’ Hunter sat down with ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ to reveal why he took part in the scandal.
Hunter’s misdeeds were revealed after an NCAA investigation found that he intentionally manipulated his performance while playing basketball for the University of New Orleans (UNO).
‘I just had a child,’ Hunter told the program. ‘The school wasn’t paying me money. So, like I was trying to get money to actually take care of my child.’
While playing for the Privateers, Hunter intentionally rigged his performance to benefit a bettor in Las Vegas.
The investigation claims Hunter and his teammates, Dyquavian Short and Jamond Vincent, were offered $5,000 in exchange for their involvement.
Former New Orleans basketball player Cedquavious ‘Dae Dae’ Hunter is speaking out after he was banned from the NCAA for his alleged involvement in a point-shaving scandal
Hunter (seen playing for Cal State Bakersfield) was kicked out of school for his role
The report says that another student athlete overheard the three discussing their intentions to stop scoring at the end of a game against Southland Conference rivals McNeese State last December.
While Hunter only played 14 minutes, he shot 1-for-4 that night and New Orleans lost by 25 points on a game with a 23.5 point spread.
Hunter initially lied to the NCAA about his involvement in the scheme, but eventually turned and offered the truth.
“I was trying to lie because I thought I was going to get my way out of it,” Hunter said.
The scheme led to a ban from NCAA competition and unenrollment from UNO.
Hunter’s case is only the latest in a series of gambling schemes that have involved athletes.
Recently, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted in a scheme where they allegedly altered pitches to try and benefit prop bettors.
Additionally, the FBI cracked down on an illegal mafia-tied betting ring. It allegedly enlisted the help of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones to rig poker games.
The scheme also allegedly involved Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier intentionally throwing games so prop bettors who wagered the ‘under’ on certain stat-lines raked in massive profits.
