Auburn Basketball Player at the Center of FBI Point-Shaving Investigation
According to an article published today by Yahoo! Sports, at least one member of the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball program may have found himself in quite a bit of trouble.
Redshirt sophomore, Varez Ward, is under investigation by the FBI for his part in a possible point-shaving scheme.
In late January, one of Ward’s Auburn teammates approached an Auburn assistant coach, expressing his concern that something may be going on.
The coaching staff immediately alerted both the NCAA and the FBI, and both are now in the midst of investigating the allegations.
Soon after these accusations were brought to light, Ward and teammate, Chris Denson, were both suspended indefinitely by head-coach Tony Barbee for “violating team rules.”
According to the Yahoo!Sports article, two sources close to the situation claim that Denson was questioned by the FBI as part of the investigation, but was later cleared and allowed to return to the team.
Ward’s suspension has not been lifted as he still remains at the center of the investigation.
Ward, once a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school, signed with The University of Texas, where he had some promising games in the NCAA Tournament his freshman year. He started the first three games of his sophomore season at Texas before rupturing his quad muscle in pre-game warmups, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the year. Before the following season, he transfered to Auburn in order to be closer to his family, as his mother has been diagnosed with a heart condition.
After sitting out the mandatory year due to transfer rules, Ward started in 17 of 27 games this season and was averaging 9 points per game.
None of the people at the center of the investigation–Ward, Auburn, and the NCAA–responded to Yahoo!Sports’ inquiries into the investigation.
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