20 Charged in Major Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal
Federal authorities have charged 20 individuals in a significant basketball game-fixing scandal involving both college and professional games. The indictments were disclosed in a court filing in Philadelphia. The defendants face multiple charges, including bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Key Figures in the Scandal
Among those indicted are several former college basketball players, including:
- Alberto Laureano
- Arlando Arnold
- Simeon Cottle
- Kevin Cross
- Bradley Ezewiro
- Shawn Fulcher
- Carlos Hart
- Markeese Hastings
- Cedquavious Hunter
- Oumar Koureissi
- Da’Sean Nelson
- Demond Robinson
- Camian Shell
- Dyquavion Short
- Airion Simmons
- Jalen Terry
Additionally, trainers Jalen Smith and Roderick Winkler, along with professional gamblers Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen, were named in the indictments.
Details of the Scheme
The scheme reportedly commenced in September 2022. It involved bribing players from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for “point shaving.” This illegal practice entails manipulating the game’s final score rather than determining the winner.
One notable case involved Antonio Blakeney, a player for the Jiangsu Dragons, who was targeted by Fairley and Hennen. He agreed to join the scheme and influenced subsequent games, including one on March 6, 2023. In that game, the Dragons were significant underdogs against the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Financial Transactions and Allegations
According to authorities, Fairley and Hennen wagered $198,300 on the favorites covering the spread. Blakeney, who typically scored 32 points per game, only managed 11 points that day. This incident led to a large financial payout for the gamblers.
Following the CBA season, Fairley allegedly placed nearly $200,000 in cash in Blakeney’s storage unit in Florida as part of bribe payments for the rigged games.
Expansion to College Basketball
The investigation revealed that the scheme expanded to college basketball during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Payments of between $10,000 and $30,000 were offered to NCAA players to fix games.
More than 39 players from over 17 different NCAA Division I teams were implicated in fixing or attempting to fix at least 29 games. This was tied to significant wagering operations worth millions of dollars.
Context of the Investigation
This extensive FBI inquiry highlights the ongoing issues surrounding gambling in U.S. sports. Other recent scandals include the arrest of NBA player Terry Rozier and Major League Baseball pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, all implicated in various gambling-related offenses.
As this investigation unfolds, it raises critical questions about integrity in sports and the influence of gambling on competitive fairness.
