Nebraska basketball's Ulis charged in Iowa gambling probe

Nebraska point guard Ahron Ulis has been charged with "tampering with records" in a scheme that allegedly allowed him to place bets on sporting events while attending the University of Iowa, according to court records.

Ulis is alleged to have placed "approximately 1,850" sports bets totaling "over $34,800" via FanDuel while using the information of his older brother, Anton Porter.

Ulis is alleged to have placed one wager on a University of Iowa football game and more than 430 bets on NCAA basketball and football events. The complaint does not indicate Ulis placed a bet on a game involving Iowa men's basketball. 

The news was first reported by The Gazette.

A "tampering with records" charge is an aggravated misdemeanor in the state of Iowa. 

According to the complaint, Ulis signed up for FanDuel using Porter's information — such as his birthday — and allegedly placed bets from his personal iPhone while at "his university residence and areas of the university not routinely open to the public."

It is illegal for those under 21 to bet on sports in the state of Iowa. According to the criminal complaint, Ulis allegedly placed "over 740" of the bets before his 21st birthday. Ulis turned 21 on Oct. 4, 2022.

Any athlete who is found to have placed bets on their own school “will potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports,” according to recently updated NCAA guidelines.

Athletes who have placed bets on their own sport, but on another school, are to be considered for a suspension spanning half a season.

Ulis transferred to Nebraska in early May, shortly before the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation announced its probe into sports betting.

It is unknown if coach Fred Hoiberg was aware of Ulis' involvement in the investigation before Ulis signed with the Huskers. A statement from Nebraska Athletics provided to the Journal Star said that the athletics administration was "made aware this summer about a potential issue regarding the eligibility" of Ulis.

"Since that time we have been in communication with the NCAA regarding this matter," the statement continued.

Nebraska men's basketball is currently in Spain on its international trip. Ulis was held out of Monday's contest in Madrid as Nebraska gathered "information on a situation." 

Ulis is the third current or former Iowa athlete to be charged in connection to the gambling probe. Four current/former Iowa State athletes have also been charged. All seven of them are facing the "tampering with records" charge.

While at Iowa last season, Ulis started in 27 games and averaged 6.1 points per contest.