Hysier Miller, a standout guard formerly with the Temple Owls, has been declared permanently ineligible to compete in NCAA athletics after finding that he placed bets against his own team during two seasons of play. The NCAA released the findings of their investigation on Friday, revealing that Miller placed a total of 42 parlay bets worth $473 on games involving the Owls from the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, with three of those bets made against Temple.
Despite his betting activities, Miller’s attorney, Jason P. Bologna, stated that the NCAA’s probe found no evidence to suggest that Miller engaged in point-shaving. Bologna emphasized that Miller fully cooperated with the investigation, providing access to his phone and bank records and responding to all inquiries. “Hysier admitted to placing parlay bets but denied any involvement in point-shaving, and the NCAA’s findings reflect that they accepted his honesty and cooperation,” Bologna remarked.
In a statement, Temple University’s president, John Fry, expressed disappointment over the situation but asserted that it does not reflect the integrity of the athletics program as a whole. He mentioned that the university had been aware of the allegations since they emerged in March 2024 and had cooperated fully with the NCAA throughout the investigation. Fry noted that to date, the university had not been approached by state or federal law enforcement regarding these allegations, but they remain ready to assist if contacted.
The scrutiny surrounding Miller’s betting habits heightened after a watchdog group identified suspicious gambling activity related to Temple games. In March 2024, the organization U.S. Integrity alerted casinos to peculiar betting patterns, particularly preceding the March game between Temple and UAB, which saw an unusual shift in the betting line. The Owls ultimately lost that match by a significant margin, underscoring concerns about the integrity of the game.
Miller, who transferred to Virginia Tech in April 2024, was dismissed from the program in October the same year due to matters related to his prior enrollment. The talented 6-foot-1 point guard had an impressive college career, starting 68 games for the Owls and leading the team in scoring with an average of 15.9 points per game in his final season. He was also recognized as Pennsylvania’s 4A State Player of the Year in high school and received accolades such as the Big 5 Most Improved Player and a spot on the AAC All-Tournament team in 2023.
This troubling incident highlights ongoing challenges within collegiate sports concerning gambling regulation and athlete conduct, but it also sheds light on the importance of cooperation and transparency in maintaining the integrity of the game. Fans and stakeholders alike will hope that such incidents serve as a catalyst for more stringent measures to protect the spirit of college athletics.