Recently, a major scandal involving college basketball has surfaced. Twenty people are facing charges in a point-shaving scheme that affected over 39 players from 17 NCAA Division I teams. An indictment released by federal authorities in Pennsylvania reveals that more than 29 games were manipulated through this scheme.
Among those charged, 15 played college basketball during the recent seasons, including this one. Notably, Cedquavious Hunter and Dyquavian Short had already faced sanctions from the NCAA for fixing games involving New Orleans.
The remaining five individuals were labeled as “fixers,” and two of them, Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, also faced charges in a separate gambling scheme linked to the NBA in New York.
Interestingly, former NBA player Antonio Blakeney was named in the indictment but not charged, indicating he may be involved in ongoing investigations elsewhere.
This scheme reportedly began around September 2022, initially targeting the Chinese Basketball Association before shifting focus to college games. The indictment mentions that players were bribed with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to influence game outcomes for betting purposes. The implications of this are huge, as the defendants defrauded sportsbooks and individual bettors who were unaware of the manipulations, compromising the integrity of the sport.
Experts warn that this type of scandal can weaken trust in college athletics. “The foundation of college sports is fair play,” says Dr. Linda Cohen, a sports ethics professor. “When trust is broken, it affects everyone involved—not just players and coaches, but fans and sponsors.”
In recent years, such scandals have shown a worrying trend. According to a 2023 report from the National Association of Sports Officials, nearly 40% of officials reported witnessing gambling-related misconduct in games they refereed.
The rise of online betting has made it easier for schemes like this to thrive, and discussions on social media reflect growing concern among fans. Many have taken to platforms like Twitter to express their frustration, with hashtags such as #ProtectCollegeAthletics gaining traction.
It’s crucial to follow the developments in this case. The outcomes could set significant precedents for both the NCAA and the wider sports betting industry.
For more details, visit the Associated Press for ongoing coverage.
