NBA and College Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal: Investigation Revealed!

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By: Mike

A comprehensive federal investigation is currently underway, examining a complex network of suspected match-fixing in men’s basketball, affecting both professional and collegiate levels. According to sources who spoke with Sports Illustrated, a grand jury has been assembled, and the investigation spans multiple legal territories.

The inquiry includes scrutiny of several NBA players, including ex-NBA professional Jontay Porter, who received a lifetime ban from the league last year. A particular focus has been placed on Terry Rozier, a seasoned guard with the Miami Heat, concerning his performances dating back to his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, as initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.

During a March 23, 2023, matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier started the game but only played for 10 minutes, scoring five points before he sidelined himself, citing a sore foot. This was reported by various news outlets, and Rozier did not return to play for the remainder of the season. Unlike Porter, who was a lesser-known bench player, Rozier has been a significant figure in the NBA, averaging 14 points per game over his 11-year career.

Mike Bass, an NBA spokesperson, stated, “In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity tied to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans. The league carried out an investigation which concluded no breach of NBA regulations. We are now cooperating with an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York concerning this issue.”

The case involving Porter emerged after he allegedly incurred substantial gambling debts by early 2024. He purportedly agreed to exit certain games prematurely to guarantee the success of prop bets predicting his underperformance, in a bid to have these debts waived.

The federal probe is reportedly extending to up to seven college basketball programs, predominantly from mid-major and low-major conferences, where players are suspected of betting on their own games or attempting to manipulate game outcomes during the 2023–24 season.

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Attorney’s office is managing the inquiry into suspicious betting activities during at least one Temple men’s basketball game last March against UAB. The betting line saw an unusual shift, leading to an investigation alert from the monitoring service U.S. Integrity. Some betting services ceased accepting wagers on this game, which UAB won decisively.

Hysier “Fabb” Miller, a former Temple guard and top scorer for the Owls last season, is at the center of this investigation. During the game in question, Miller scored eight points and committed three turnovers. After transferring to Virginia Tech, he was dismissed from the program before this season started due to pre-enrollment issues. His lawyer stated that Miller had cooperated fully with an NCAA inquiry, hoping to continue playing college basketball, but was ultimately unable to do so. Miller has since signed a professional contract in Germany.

Regarding Porter, who faces conspiracy charges since July, at least four other men have been arrested in connection with his case. One individual was apprehended while attempting to flee the country from Las Vegas, found with multiple cellphones and a significant amount of cash.

Moreover, college basketball is rife with rumors about additional programs potentially being caught up in the ongoing federal investigation. Some school representatives, believed to be under scrutiny, stated they have not yet been contacted by investigators or NCAA enforcement officials.

The NCAA expressed its ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of sports and ensuring the welfare of student-athletes, stating that it collaborates with various regulatory bodies and stakeholders to monitor and investigate any suspicious activities.

NCAA president Charlie Baker emphasized the challenges with prop bets and the measures being taken to counteract potential abuses in sports betting.

In another related instance, ESPN highlighted unusual betting patterns in a game between Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, which prompted investigation alerts from Integrity Compliance 360.

Lastly, a player from Loyola (Md.), D’Angelo Stines, saw his college basketball career end prematurely due to gambling violations. Despite this setback, he remained at Loyola, aiming to complete his education.

More College Basketball on Sports Illustrated

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