At a Glance
- 26 people charged for fixing NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games
- Fixers paid players $10,000-$30,000 per game to underperform
- At least 29 NCAA games rigged as recently as January 2025
- Why it matters: The scandal exposes vulnerabilities in college sports amid the nation’s sports-betting boom
Federal prosecutors on Thursday unveiled charges against 26 individuals-including active and former college players-for bribing athletes to fix basketball outcomes across two continents.
How the Scheme Worked
- Recruiters approached players with cash offers to “purposefully underperform”
- Fixers then bet against the players’ teams, raking in “substantial proceeds”
- After rigged games, runners hand-delivered cash on campuses or at travel stops
- One player alone received nearly $200,000 stuffed into a Florida storage locker
The Money Trail
Prosecutors did not give a final profit tally but said the network wagered millions of dollars and paid out hundreds of thousands in bribes. Typical player payouts:
| Per-Game Bribe | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fix | $10,000 | $30,000 |
Timeline of Rigged Games
| Year | League | Games Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Chinese Basketball Association | 2 |
| 2023-25 | NCAA | 29 (and counting) |
The most recent known fix occurred January 2025.
Who’s Who
Alleged Fixers (6 primary suspects)
- Antonio Blakeney, former NBA player
- Three men with coaching or training ties to players
- Two professional gamblers and handicappers
Charged Players Still on the Court
Four defendants played for their schools within days of the indictment:
- Simeon Cottle
- Carlos Hart
- Oumar Koureissi
- Camian Shell
> Note: Charges stem from the 2023-24 season, not current play.
Investigation Status
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said the probe continues and hinted more names could surface. Court papers reference unnamed athletes who aided the scheme but have not yet been charged.
Broader Gambling Fallout
The case lands amid a surge of betting-related scandals since the Supreme Court in 2018 opened the door to widespread legal wagering. Recent incidents include:
- Federal raids on illegal gambling operations tied to pro basketball
- Lifetime NCAA bans for at least 10 basketball players
- MLB players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz facing federal charges for allegedly taking bribes to tip pitches
Key Takeaways
- Cash bribes and campus drop-offs kept the conspiracy humming
- 29 NCAA games and 2 Chinese league games have been confirmed rigged
- With the investigation ongoing, more charges could follow
- The scandal amplifies pressure on colleges and regulators to safeguard sports integrity as betting money floods the market
