Former Kennesaw State men's basketball student-athlete Simeon Cottle did not cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations, according to a decision released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. The lack of cooperation in the investigation is a violation of NCAA rules, which could trigger permanent ineligibility, but Cottle has no collegiate eligibility remaining. He is no longer a member of the school's basketball program.
In January, Cottle was indicted by the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for wire fraud and bribery charges surrounding Kennesaw State's game versus Queens (New York) on March 1, 2024. Following the indictment, the NCAA enforcement staff notified the school of the possible sports betting integrity violations and requested an interview with Cottle, who was in his final year of eligibility. He was suspended from the team immediately.
The enforcement staff made numerous requests to interview Cottle through his legal counsel. On March 16, Cottle's attorney told the enforcement staff that his client would not participate in the processing of the case.
Failure to cooperate in an NCAA investigation — including refusing to be interviewed or produce relevant materials — violates NCAA rules. The student-athlete's failure to cooperate is a Level I violation.
Although the Committee on Infractions does not currently assess penalties for student-athletes who violated NCAA rules, those who are found to be in violation are ineligible and can be reinstated only with the assistance of an NCAA school.
Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from the NCAA membership and public. The members who reviewed this case are Norman Bay, attorney; Jody Conradt, special assistant to athletics at Texas and chief hearing officer for the panel; and Steve Waterfield, director of athletics at Oakland.
