College basketball point shaving charges hit 26 people, 39+ players

College basketball point shaving just hit a shocking new low. Federal prosecutors unsealed charges against 26 people on January 15, 2026, alleging the largest scheme ever to rig NCAA games. The scandal involved 39 players across 17 Division I teams and 29 games over two seasons.

How the Scheme Actually Worked

The college basketball point shaving operation started in September 2022 with Chinese Basketball Association games before expanding to NCAA teams. Five fixers recruited players and offered substantial payouts to underperform. According to federal prosecutors, these fixers deliberately recruited men with established connections in college basketball, trainers, recruiters, and people of influence to add credibility.

Bettors then wagered millions on these fixed outcomes. Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, two of the primary defendants, coordinated the entire operation across multiple teams. Players who refused to participate were often ignored, but those who agreed received immediate cash payments.

Massive Bets on Fixed Games

The indictment reveals staggering wager amounts placed on manipulated games. Approximately $458,000 was wagered on Towson to beat UNC A&T. Another $424,000 covered the Kent State spread against Buffalo in the first half.

DePaul basketball players became central to the scheme. Jalen Terry, Da’Sean Nelson, and Micawber Etienne allegedly agreed to underperform in games against Georgetown, Butler, and St. John’s. The bettors wagered at least $27,000 on the Georgetown game alone. Terry scored zero points in the first half despite scoring 16 in the second half.

Aspect	Details
Defendants Charged	26 total, 20 current or former college players
Teams Affected	17 NCAA Division I programs and Chinese teams
Games Manipulated	29 confirmed fixed or attempted fixes
Bribe Range	$10,000 to $30,000 per player per game

The NBA Connection and Antonio Blakeney

Antonio Blakeney, a former Chicago Bulls player and LSU star, was the face of the operation. The 29-year-old played 76 games for Chicago in 2017-19 before moving overseas. Blakeney became the leading scorer for the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association.

“I love Jalen Terry, he perfected his job. Sh- Nelson snapped too.”

— Jalen Smith, alleged fixer, text about DePaul players underperforming

Blakeney allegedly manipulated his own performance and recruited college players to join the scheme after his NBA career ended. Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen had previously been indicted in a separate NBA gambling case, showing the operation expanded from pro to college leagues.

Which Schools Got Hit Hardest

Kennesaw State center Simeon Cottle became the most visible current player implicated. Cottle, the Conference USA preseason player of the year, averaged 20.2 points per game this season. The indictment alleges he and former teammate Demond Robinson received $40,000 for their roles in fixing a game against Queens University on March 1, 2024.

Saint Louis center Bradley Ezewiro threw a game against Duquesne according to prosecutors. Eastern Michigan’s Carlos Hart and DePaul’s Micawber Etienne also face charges. The NCAA announced it is investigating approximately 40 players from 20 schools, a number that dwarfs these charges.

What Do These Charges Actually Mean for College Basketball?

Prosecutors describe this operation as very successful, despite some failed attempts. The charges carry serious penalties: bribery charges mean up to five years in prison, while fraud charges carry up to 20 years. Federal prosecutors say the scheme victimized everyone, from honest athletes to fans losing money.

NCAA President Charlie Baker sent a statement asking state gambling regulators to eliminate prop betting entirely. The monetization of college athletics through sports betting and NIL payments made players vulnerable to bribes. Will this scandal finally force change in how college basketball operates?

Sources

• ESPN – Comprehensive reporting on the 26 defendants, charges, and indictment details by David Purdum
• Department of Justice – Official federal indictment press release and charges filed January 15, 2026
• The Washington Post – Investigation into the point-shaving scheme spanning NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games