At least 26 people have been charged in connection with a massive college basketball point-shaving scheme that allegedly bribed dozens of players to rig games. The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, claims that the conspiracy involved 39 players and 17 different NCAA Division I men's basketball teams, with allegations that 29 games were either fixed or attempted to be fixed.
According to US Attorney David Metcalf, the scheme aimed to enrich sports gamblers by having players tank games. However, not all attempts to fix games were successful, as some players refused to cooperate or failed to make games go in a certain direction. Metcalf described the scheme as "massive" and noted that it had a significant impact on college athletics.
The allegations date back between September 2022 and February 2025 and include claims of influencing or fixing Chinese Basketball Association men's basketball games. The bribes, which could range from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, were allegedly used to have players deliberately underperform in games where their team was favored to lose.
Games involving teams such as Abilene Christian, Alabama State, Butler, DePaul, Duquesne, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Fordham, Georgetown, Kennesaw State, Kent State, La Salle, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Ohio University, St. Louis University, St. John's, SUNY Buffalo, Tulane, and Western Michigan University were allegedly rigged or impacted.
The scheme was initially uncovered when former Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney allegedly colluded with professional sports bettors Marvis Fairley and Shane Hennen to fix Chinese Basketball Association games. The conspiracy then moved to the US, where other people were recruited to join the scheme.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has stated that the organization has already begun or initiated investigations into almost all of the teams named in the indictment.
According to US Attorney David Metcalf, the scheme aimed to enrich sports gamblers by having players tank games. However, not all attempts to fix games were successful, as some players refused to cooperate or failed to make games go in a certain direction. Metcalf described the scheme as "massive" and noted that it had a significant impact on college athletics.
The allegations date back between September 2022 and February 2025 and include claims of influencing or fixing Chinese Basketball Association men's basketball games. The bribes, which could range from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, were allegedly used to have players deliberately underperform in games where their team was favored to lose.
Games involving teams such as Abilene Christian, Alabama State, Butler, DePaul, Duquesne, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Fordham, Georgetown, Kennesaw State, Kent State, La Salle, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Ohio University, St. Louis University, St. John's, SUNY Buffalo, Tulane, and Western Michigan University were allegedly rigged or impacted.
The scheme was initially uncovered when former Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney allegedly colluded with professional sports bettors Marvis Fairley and Shane Hennen to fix Chinese Basketball Association games. The conspiracy then moved to the US, where other people were recruited to join the scheme.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has stated that the organization has already begun or initiated investigations into almost all of the teams named in the indictment.
. Can't trust anyone on the court 
." 
I mean what's next? College football players being bribed to lose games too? It's like they're trying to make college sports a joke 
. And 39 players involved? That's like having an entire team of " fixers" 
. The fact that some players refused to cooperate or failed is just icing on the cake 
. I guess it goes to show you can't always buy someone off, but in this case, they could pay them enough 
what a crazy scandal! I mean, who would've thought that college basketball games could be rigged like that? 
It's wild to think about players getting bribed to tank games and all that jazz 
I'm low-key impressed that the authorities were able to uncover this stuff, but also super disappointed for all the fans who got duped into thinking their team was going to have a great season 
Can't believe what's happening in college hoops. I mean, 26 people charged? That's just crazy. It's like they're saying "hey, let's make some easy cash and risk our future careers" 
. I know some of these players are from tough backgrounds and need a way out, but this is just wrong. The NCAA needs to step up their game and make sure something like this can't happen again 
. And what about the integrity of the sport? It's not just about the players, it's about the fans too... 29 games fixed? That's a lot of people getting screwed over 
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. I mean, these are institutions of higher learning, supposed to be about education and personal growth, not corruption and greed 
. If we want to maintain trust in sports and society as a whole, we need to stay vigilant and hold people accountable for their actions 
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This college basketball scandal is like, totally messed up! I mean, we're talking about kids who are supposed to be students and athletes, not bribed players and fixers. It's just another example of how sports can be corrupted by greed and outside influences 
. But I guess it just goes to show how far corruption can spread in certain systems.
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. And to think about all the innocent fans who were affected by this scheme... it's just sad 
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. It's crazy to think about how many lives were potentially affected by these players' decisions on the court 
. At least now we know who was involved and what went down 
. The fact that 26 people have been charged is a big step forward, and I'm sure the NCAA is gonna do its thing to clean up the game 
. Can't help but wonder how many more players were affected by this scheme, though 
. Fingers crossed that we'll see some real change and accountability 
and the food there is literally life changing... I mean have you ever had poke bowls? 
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️ meanwhile, all those innocent fans who got taken advantage of must be feeling ripped off