Key Highlights
- Hysier Miller, a former star guard from Neumann Goretti and the Temple Owls, has been banned for life by the NCAA after betting against his own team.
- The NCAA found that Miller placed 42 parlay bets totaling $473 on Owls’ games during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, with three of those bets being against Temple.
- Miller’s lawyer claimed there was no evidence that Miller shaved points in any game, stating he admitted to placing parlay bets but denied point shaving during a thorough investigation by the NCAA.
- The university has been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since learning of the investigation, despite not having received requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies.
NCAA Bans Temple Guard Forever After Betting Allegations
Temple’s Hysier Miller, a former star guard from Neumann Goretti and the Temple Owls, has been banned for life by the NCAA after it was revealed that he bet against his own team while playing. The revelations came to light during an investigation into suspicious gambling activity in Temple games.
Miller’s Bet Against His Own Team
The NCAA announced on Friday that Miller is now permanently ineligible to play again, following the findings of a long and thorough investigation. According to NBC Sports, the NCAA found that Miller placed 42 parlay bets totaling $473 on Owls’ games during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons. Notably, three of those bets were against Temple.
Lawyer’s Defense
Miller’s lawyer, Jason P. Bologna, stated that Hysier gave the NCAA full access to his cell phone and bank account and answered every question they asked. He claimed there was no evidence that Miller shaved points in any game during this investigation.
“Hysier admitted to placing parlay bets but denied shaving points in any game,” said Bologna. “The NCAA’s findings confirm that Hysier was honest and cooperative with their investigation.”
Temple’s Response
The university president, John Fry, issued a statement expressing disappointment at the mention of Temple in this context but emphasizing its non-representative nature regarding the athletics program. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” said Fry. He added that the university will continue to cooperate should they be contacted by state or federal law enforcement agencies.
Miller transferred to Virginia Tech in April 2024 but was dismissed on October 23, 2024, due to circumstances prior to his enrollment there. The 6-foot-1 point guard signed with Temple in 2021 and started 68 games for the Owls, leading the team in scoring in 2024 with an average of 15.9 points per game.
Despite Miller’s athletic achievements and his role as a Big 5 Most Improved Player in 2023, the NCAA’s decision to ban him for life marks a significant blow to his career. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of gambling within college sports and the stringent measures taken by governing bodies to ensure integrity.
