Federal prosecutors have charged 26 people-including more than a dozen NCAA Division I men’s basketball players-with orchestrating a bribery and point-shaving scheme that stretched from September 2022 to February 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced Thursday, Jan. 15.
At a Glance
- 26 defendants face federal charges tied to fixing NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games
- 39 players on 17-plus NCAA teams allegedly received bribes to manipulate outcomes
- Fixers wagered millions and paid players $10,000-$30,000 per rigged game
- Why it matters: The scandal strikes at the heart of college sports’ integrity and could trigger sweeping reforms
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf told reporters in Philadelphia that the “massive scheme” targeted both NCAA Division I contests and Chinese Basketball Association matchups. Prosecutors say the operation involved gamblers, sports handicappers, a former coach, and a former NCAA player who together tried to fix more than 29 games.
How the Scheme Worked
According to the indictment, the fixers identified underdog college players and offered cash to ensure their teams failed to cover the point spread. Payments ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game. The group then placed large wagers against those teams, banking on the adjusted margins.
The conspiracy allegedly worked in two leagues:
- Chinese Basketball Association: Fixers bribed CBA players to underperform, then bet against their teams
- NCAA Division I: Recruiters enlisted current players to influence outcomes and to recruit additional teammates
Prosecutors say the fixers generated “substantial proceeds” while the players pocketed “hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe payments.”
Scope of the Investigation
The probe covered three seasons:
- 2022-2023: One CBA player implicated
- 2023-2024: Five NCAA players charged
- 2024-2025: 15 Division I NCAA players among the accused
In total, authorities say 39 players on more than 17 NCAA teams were involved. The charged players include:
- Simeon Cottle
- Carlos Hart
- Oumar Koureissi
- Camian Shell
Sources told News Of Losangeles that investigators used wiretaps, financial records, and cooperating witnesses to build the case.
Legal Fallout
All 26 defendants face federal charges tied to sports bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud. Penalties could include prison time, fines, and restitution. The FBI and the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division are continuing to investigate, meaning additional arrests are possible.
Metcalf called the plot “another blow to public confidence in the integrity of sport,” emphasizing that fair play “rests on the fundamental principles of fairness, honesty, and respect for the rules of competition.”
“When criminal acts threaten to corrupt such a central institution of American life, the Department of Justice won’t hesitate to step in,” he said, according to the release.
Reaction From the NCAA
The NCAA has not yet released a detailed response, but the association is expected to launch its own inquiry. Potential sanctions against the implicated programs could include:
- Vacated wins
- Post-season bans
- Scholarship reductions
- Show-cause orders for coaches
Sports analysts note that point-shaving scandals historically lead to tighter oversight of player conduct and expanded monitoring of betting lines.
Key Takeaways
- This is one of the largest college sports bribery cases in U.S. history
- The scheme crossed international borders, encompassing both U.S. and Chinese leagues
- Prosecutors say the fixers wagered millions, proving how lucrative illicit sports betting can be
- The scandal will likely prompt the NCAA to revisit its rules on player contact with outside bettors
