FBI Charges 26 in College Basketball Game Rigging Investigation
Federal prosecutors have charged 26 individuals in connection with an alleged point-shaving scheme that involves numerous college basketball players. This investigation, announced recently by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, encompasses players from 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams.
Scope of the Investigation
The alleged activities transpired between September 2022 and February 2025, during which players attempted to fix or actually fixed a total of 29 games. The indictment also touches upon instances of influencing games within the Chinese Basketball Association.
Bribery Allegations
- Players were reportedly bribed to perform poorly in games.
- The bribes per game ranged from $10,000 to $30,000.
- Current players were allegedly bribed by former college athletes.
These players were persuaded to underperform specifically to benefit sports gamblers. For instance, if a team was expected to lose by four points, the bribed player would aim to ensure that the team lost by a wider margin. This manipulation would directly impact the point spread.
Teams Involved
Throughout the investigation, the following teams have been implicated:
- Alabama State
- Western Michigan University
- Butler
- St. John’s
- Tulane
- East Carolina
- McNeese State
- Nicholls State
- St. Louis University
- Duquesne
- La Salle
- Fordham
- SUNY Buffalo
- Kent State
- Ohio University
- Georgetown
- DePaul
Inside the Scheme
According to Metcalf, the scheme initially began with former Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney collaborating with sports bettors Marvis Fairley and Shane Hennen to fix games in China. This successful scheme eventually transitioned to the U.S., focusing on manipulating NCAA games.
The individuals involved in this scheme were typically well-connected in the college basketball environment. Many of them had ties as former players, trainers, or recruiters, which provided credibility to the operation.
NCAA Response
NCAA President Charlie Baker noted that the organization has either completed or initiated investigations into most of the implicated teams. In his statement, he mentioned that the conduct revealed aligns with previously known issues regarding game integrity within college basketball.
This announcement follows shortly after an extensive FBI operation led to arrests connected to illegal gambling rings, involving notable NBA figures such as Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier.
