Contents
Quick Summary
- Federal prosecutors secured a guilty plea from Jalen Smith for orchestrating a college basketball point-shaving operation that paid athletes $10,000–$30,000 per contest
- The conspiracy compromised 39+ collegiate athletes playing for 17 different NCAA programs and influenced more than 29 contests spanning 2022 to 2025
- Conspirators deliberately targeted athletes with minimal NIL earnings and frequently wagered on first-half point spreads to minimize detection
- The criminal enterprise began with Chinese Basketball Association games before expanding into NCAA basketball
- Federal authorities identified five individuals working together, some connected to a parallel NBA gambling probe
On March 9, Jalen Smith entered a guilty plea in federal court, acknowledging his central role as a fixer in what prosecutors describe as one of the most extensive point-shaving conspiracies in collegiate basketball history. Smith confessed to bribing players to intentionally perform below their capabilities, ensuring their teams would not cover betting spreads.
Athletes received cash payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for each manipulated game. Smith and his associates subsequently wagered substantial sums against those same teams using both legitimate sportsbooks and underground betting channels.
The criminal operation functioned continuously from September 2022 until February 2025. Federal investigators documented involvement from more than 39 athletes competing for at least 17 NCAA basketball programs, with the scheme influencing over 29 games during this period.
Smith now faces potential federal prison time of up to 20 years for wire fraud. An additional charge of bribery in sporting contests carries a maximum sentence of five years.
The conspiracy’s origins trace back to the Chinese Basketball Association, where group members initially established point-shaving arrangements before broadening their scope to include NCAA men’s basketball.
Strategic Player Recruitment Methods
Smith and his collaborators deliberately avoided high-profile athletes. Their recruitment strategy specifically focused on players receiving minimal or zero NIL compensation — typically athletes at mid-major institutions without lucrative sponsorship agreements.
NIL rules were implemented in 2021, creating legal pathways for college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness. Despite this change, the vast majority of Division I basketball players continue to earn little to no income through NIL opportunities.
For those players, cash offers of $15,000 or higher represented significant financial temptation. Federal prosecutors note that athletes also received compensation for providing confidential details about teammates’ health conditions and anticipated playing time.
Smith maintained ongoing communication with compromised players during live games. Court documents detail one instance where he messaged a player during halftime of a close contest, demanding the score “be a blowout” and complaining the player was causing him financial losses.
Following successful betting outcomes, Smith personally visited college campuses to deliver cash payments directly to players.
Occasions When the Plan Collapsed
The manipulation strategy did not guarantee success. During a matchup between Buffalo and Kent State, conspirators wagered at least $424,000 but lost the majority after the spread missed by just half a point.
Kent State needed to lead the first half by more than 8.5 points but managed only an 8-point advantage. Three players participating in the scheme combined for merely one point during the final 13 minutes of that half, missing open layups and uncontested dunks.
Conspirators regularly focused on first-half spreads. This tactical approach allowed them to manipulate only a portion of the game without impacting the final outcome.
Additional Conspirators and NBA Connections
Smith operated as part of a larger network. Federal authorities have identified five co-conspirators. Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen allegedly initiated the original CBA manipulation scheme. Former NBA player Antonio Blakeney accepted bribes, recruited teammates, and subsequently approached NCAA players. His professional experience with the Chicago Bulls provided legitimacy when contacting college athletes.
Fairley deposited a package containing at least $200,000 in cash at Blakeney’s Florida storage facility following the conclusion of the CBA season.
Fairley and Hennen also appear in a separate October 2025 federal investigation resulting in 30 arrests related to an illegal poker operation and alleged gambling corruption involving NBA games.
That separate probe includes allegations that someone provided advance information about Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s early game exit in 2023, enabling bettors to profit from proposition wagers. Rozier has publicly denied any involvement.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones face allegations of participating in manipulated poker games. Jones stands accused of selling confidential information regarding player injuries and lineup decisions to gamblers, including Fairley.
The FBI discovered the NCAA conspiracy after millions of dollars flowed through sportsbooks across more than two years without activating integrity monitoring systems. NCAA President Charlie Baker has subsequently urged state gambling regulators to prohibit specific betting markets, including first-half spreads and individual player proposition bets.
