AUBURN, Ala. -- Federal authorities are investigating suspended Auburn point guard Varez Ward for alleged point shaving involving at least two games this season, Yahoo! Sports reported Thursday.
The report, citing anonymous sources, said the FBI began an investigation in late February, centering on losses to Alabama on Feb. 7 and Arkansas on Jan. 25.
Ward has confided that he spoke with federal authorities and denied the allegations, according to a source familiar with Ward's side of the story, al.com reported.
Ward also said federal investigators confiscated his phone under court order and had him take a lie-dectector test, the source said, according to the report.
NCAA officials said they are "very concerned" by the allegations and have been in contact with the school and federal investigators since the issue arose last month.
"The NCAA takes any allegation of point shaving very seriously because sports wagering threatens two of our core principles -- the well-being of student-athletes and the very integrity of intercollegiate sport," the NCAA said in a written statement Thursday. "As allegations of point shaving, if proven, are also potential federal crimes, the NCAA will defer action until any process with the FBI has concluded."
Ward and guard Chris Denson were both suspended before a Feb. 25 game against Arkansas, but Denson returned for the next game. Denson was questioned and cleared of involvement in point shaving, the Yahoo! Sports report said.
"Auburn officials were made aware of a rumor regarding an allegation two weeks ago and immediately reported it to the FBI, the NCAA and the SEC," Auburn said in a statement Thursday. "Because of the nature of the allegation, Auburn is not in a position to make any further comment on the situation."
The report said a player reported concerns to an assistant coach in late February.
