At a Glance
- 26 people charged in a bribery scheme to fix 29 NCAA and two Chinese Basketball Association games
- Fixers paid players $10,000-$30,000 per game to underperform, then bet against their teams
- Six alleged ringleaders include former NBA player Antonio Blakeney
- Why it matters: The case widens growing fears that legal sports-betting booms have made college games a target for organized gamblers
A federal indictment unsealed Thursday charges 26 individuals with conspiring to rig basketball outcomes on U.S. campuses and in China, funneling cash-stuffed envelopes to players in exchange for intentionally poor performances that let gamblers collect millions in winning bets.
How the scheme worked
Prosecutors say the operation began in 2023 with two fixed Chinese Basketball Association contests. After those successes, the group pivoted to NCAA basketball.
- Recruiters approached players through coaching and training connections
- Players were promised $10,000-$30,000 for each game they influenced
- Fixers flew to more than a dozen states to hand-deliver cash on campus or during team travel
- Gamblers then wagered heavily against the compromised teams, reaping what authorities call “substantial proceeds”
One player alone received nearly $200,000 in bribes and shared winnings from two rigged Chinese games, all of it stuffed into his Florida storage locker, according to the indictment.
Who is charged
The six alleged ringleaders are:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Antonio Blakeney | Former NBA player |
| Three others | Linked to athletes through coaching and training |
| Two additional men | Described as gamblers and sports handicappers |
Among the 20 players indicted, four saw court time for their current college teams within the past week: Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Oumar Koureissi and Camian Shell. Authorities stress the charges cover their 2023-24 seasons, not the current campaign.
Inside the money trail
While prosecutors did not give a single profit figure, they say the fixers:
- Wagered millions on tainted games
- Generated “substantial proceeds” for themselves
- Paid out “hundreds of thousands” in player bribes
Payments were always in cash and always after the rigged game ended, ensuring the player had upheld his part of the bargain.
Games affected
| League | Games Fixed | Most Recent Date |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA | 29 | January 2025 |
| Chinese Basketball Association | 2 | 2023 |
The indictment lists only games through early 2025, but court papers hint that additional contests and unnamed players remain under scrutiny.
Investigation status
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf told Cameron R. Hayes the probe is “continuing,” and the indictment references many co-conspirators not yet charged.
Broader betting worries
The case lands amid a surge of gambling-related scandals that followed the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to let states legalize sports betting. Recent developments include:
- Federal takedown of an illegal gambling network tied to pro basketball
- Lifetime NCAA bans for at least 10 basketball players for betting violations
- Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz under federal indictment for allegedly accepting bribes to rig pitch outcomes
Thursday’s charges intensify questions about whether college athletes-who earn no salaries-face heightened temptation as legal wagering money floods the market.
Key Takeaways
- 26 defendants face counts of bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy
- Players pocketed $10,000-$30,000 each to fix games; recruiters collected millions in winning bets
- At least 31 basketball games were compromised across two countries
- Prosecutors warn more charges may follow as the investigation widens
