Fixer in NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme pleads guilty

"Smith, of Charlotte, North Carolina, trained and developed local basketball players for professional scouting combines and used those connections with players when he became part of the scheme, prosecutors say. Smith was active in helping fix games in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, placing bets and recruiting players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game, prosecutors said."

"The fixers would then bet against the players' teams in those games, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors, authorities said. Smith often traveled to meet players to deliver cash payments by hand, prosecutors said."

"Charges against Smith were unsealed in January along with 25 others. Besides the fixers who recruited players and placed bets, the charges targeted 17 former college basketball players and four other players who were active with their college teams this season."

Jalen Smith, a basketball trainer from Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges as part of a widespread NCAA basketball game-fixing scheme. Smith used his connections with local players developed through professional scouting combines to recruit them into the scheme. He promised players cash payments in exchange for deliberately underperforming during games. Fixers like Smith would then place bets against the players' teams, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors. Smith was active in fixing games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, traveling to meet players and deliver cash payments. The scheme involved 26 defendants total, including 17 former college players and four active players, with charges unsealed in January.

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