Airion Simmons, a former Abilene Christian basketball player, violated NCAA gambling rules after investigators found he shared confidential team information with bettors and agreed to affect his performance during a March 20, 2024 game against Tarleton State. The Division I Committee on Infractions ruled that Simmons accepted $3,500 after agreeing to “play[ing] bad” as part of a betting scheme. The case was initiated after another former Abilene Christian player disclosed details in September 2025 while at a Division II school. Investigators reported discussions about “a way to get paid to lose the game,” including a FaceTime call with a gambler identified as “Known Bettor 1” who allegedly directed players to lose. Simmons later admitted communicating with another gambler, receiving money for influencing the outcome, and collecting cash in a Dallas outlet mall parking lot.
"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."
"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."
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