Reports: Suspensions at New Orleans tied to gambling probe

Field Level Media|published: Wed 26th February, 17:27 2025

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) drives into the lane against New Orleans Privateers guard James White (5) Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Last month's suspensions of four University of New Orleans men's basketball players are tied to a sports gambling probe, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter and Jamond Vincent have not played since Jan. 27, with the school citing unspecified violations of team rules at the time of the suspensions.

According to ESPN, a betting ring under federal investigation placed bets on at least two of the Privateers' games earlier this season: Dec. 28 at McNeese State and Jan. 11 vs. Southeastern Louisiana.

The same ring also placed bets involving games with Temple, North Carolina A&T, Eastern Michigan and Mississippi Valley State, per ESPN.

New Orleans (4-25, 2-16 Southland Conference) is 0-8 since suspending the four players.

White, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, was the Privateers' leading scorer with 19.2 points per game through 20 games.

--Field Level Media