{"id":35803,"date":"2026-01-15T19:51:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T23:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/college-basketball-point-shaving-charges-hit-26-people-39-players\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T19:52:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T23:52:43","slug":"47315-college-basketball-point-shaving-charges-hit-26-people-39-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/47315-college-basketball-point-shaving-charges-hit-26-people-39-players\/","title":{"rendered":"College basketball point shaving charges hit 26 people, 39+ players"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\n

\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Defendants Charged:<\/b> 26 people indicted for bribery<\/b> and conspiracy to fix games across NCAA and China basketball<\/li>\n
  • Players Involved:<\/b> More than 39 players<\/b> across 17 teams<\/b> accused of intentionally underperforming<\/li>\n
  • Games Fixed:<\/b> Federal prosecutors allege 29 games<\/b> were manipulated in 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons<\/li>\n
  • Bribes Offered:<\/b> Fixers paid players between $10,000 to $30,000<\/b> to throw specific games<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    How the Scheme Actually Worked<\/h2>\n

    The college basketball point shaving<\/b> operation started in September 2022<\/b> with Chinese Basketball Association<\/b> games before expanding to NCAA teams. Five fixers<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n

    Bettors then wagered millions on these fixed outcomes. Shane Hennen<\/b> and Marves Fairley<\/b>, 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.<\/p>\n

    Massive Bets on Fixed Games<\/h2>\n

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

    DePaul basketball<\/b> players became central to the scheme. Jalen Terry<\/b>, Da’Sean Nelson<\/b>, and Micawber Etienne<\/b> allegedly agreed to underperform in games against Georgetown<\/b>, Butler<\/b>, and St. John’s<\/b>. The bettors wagered at least $27,000<\/b> on the Georgetown game alone. Terry scored zero points in the first half despite scoring 16 in the second<\/b> half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Aspect<\/td>\nDetails<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Defendants Charged<\/td>\n26 total, 20 current or former college players<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Teams Affected<\/td>\n17 NCAA Division I programs and Chinese teams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Games Manipulated<\/td>\n29 confirmed fixed or attempted fixes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bribe Range<\/td>\n$10,000 to $30,000 per player per game<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    The NBA Connection and Antonio Blakeney<\/h2>\n

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

    “I love Jalen Terry, he perfected his job. Sh- Nelson snapped too.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Jalen Smith<\/b>, alleged fixer, text about DePaul players underperforming<\/p>\n

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

    Which Schools Got Hit Hardest<\/h2>\n

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

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

    What Do These Charges Actually Mean for College Basketball?<\/h2>\n

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

    NCAA President Charlie Baker<\/b> sent a statement asking state gambling regulators to eliminate prop betting<\/b> 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?<\/p>\n

    \n

    Watch: Major College Basketball Point Shaving Indictment<\/h3>\n