NCAA Basketball Point Shaving Scandal

Thursday’s federal indictment hit college basketball like a thunderous two-handed dunk. Twenty-six people have been charged, 39 players implicated, and at least 29 games allegedly fixed across 17 schools over two seasons. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf's description of the situation was bang on, defining it as "a massive scheme that enveloped the world of college basketball."

Unfortunately, this is the latest event in what has been a year-long story of gambling scandals across American sports. Just three months ago, the NBA  made the headlines when Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested for their alleged roles in a separate gambling ring with ties to organized crime. 

The college scheme didn't target powerhouse programs, as fixers intentionally went after mid-major schools like Kennesaw State, New Orleans, and DePaul, where bribes would "meaningfully supplement or exceed legitimate NIL opportunities." Players reportedly received between $10,000 and $30,000 per game. Before one fixed game, prosecutors say a Kennesaw State player was sent a photo showing approximately $100,000 in cash. For kids who aren't getting shoe deals, that's life-changing money. Of the 39 players charged, Simeon Cottle (Kennesaw State), Carlos Hart (Eastern Michigan), Ourmar Koureissi (Texas Southern), and Camian Shell (Delaware State) all played games within the last week.

The operation's origins can be traced back to China's professional league, where former NBA player Antonio Blakeney (Chicago Bulls) allegedly manipulated his own performances and recruited teammates. However, the fixers shifted their focus stateside by 2023. Two of the alleged fixers, Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, were also charged in the NBA gambling indictments, part of a transnational conspiracy spanning two continents and multiple leagues.

While the NCAA has claimed that it was already investigating the situation, the fact that an issue spanning nearly twenty different schools and involving so many players and individuals persisted for two years before federal authorities stepped in makes one wonder how much deeper the issue goes.