Federal prosecutors have charged 26 people in a wide-ranging betting conspiracy involving NCAA Division I men’s basketball games and contests in the Chinese Basketball Association.
According to authorities, more than a dozen college basketball players intentionally underperformed in exchange for cash payments. Fixers then placed large wagers against the players’ teams, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors.
An indictment unsealed Thursday in federal court in Philadelphia describes the scheme as an international criminal conspiracy. Prosecutors said sportsbooks would not have paid out those wagers had they known the games were manipulated.
How the Scheme Operated
Prosecutors said the scheme began in 2023 with two manipulated games in the Chinese Basketball Association. After those efforts proved successful, the fixers expanded into NCAA competition, rigging and attempting to rig games as recently as January 2025.
According to the indictment, more than 39 players from over 17 NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams were involved. In total, more than 29 games were either fixed or targeted for manipulation. Payments to players typically ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
Players also assisted the scheme by recruiting additional participants. Prosecutors said many of the wagers placed on the manipulated games were successful, generating millions of dollars in bets and substantial proceeds for the fixers.
Timeline of Alleged Activity
| Period | Alleged Activity |
|---|---|
| 2022–2023 season | Antonio Blakeney plays in the Chinese Basketball Association |
| 2023 | Two Chinese Basketball Association games allegedly manipulated |
| End of 2022–2023 season | Nearly $200,000 in bribes and shared winnings placed into Blakeney’s storage locker in Florida |
| 2023–2024 season | Five charged players last compete in NCAA Division I |
| 2024–2025 season | Fifteen defendants play Division I basketball |
| January 2025 | Most recent alleged attempts to rig NCAA games |
Defendants and Roles
Of the 26 defendants, prosecutors said 15 played for NCAA Division I programs during the 2024–2025 season. Five others last played in the NCAA during the 2023–2024 season. Another defendant, former NBA player Antonio Blakeney, competed in the Chinese Basketball Association during the 2022–2023 season.
The remaining defendants were described as fixers who recruited players and placed wagers. Prosecutors said they included individuals involved in basketball training and development, a trainer and former coach, a former NCAA player, and individuals described as gamblers, influencers, and sports handicappers.
Four charged players, Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Oumar Koureissi, and Camian Shell, appeared in games for their current teams in recent days. Prosecutors emphasized that the allegations against them do not involve games from the current season.
Prosecutors Cite Integrity Concerns
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf described the case as an international criminal conspiracy and said it represented a significant corruption of the integrity of sports. He added that the investigation remains ongoing and that other participants referenced in the indictment were not charged.
The charges include bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
Gambling Expansion and College Sports
Concerns over gambling in college sports have increased since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting, allowing states to legalize the practice. NCAA rules prohibit athletes and staff from betting on college games.
Sports betting revenue exceeded $11 billion during the first three quarters of last year, representing an increase of more than 13 percent from the prior year, according to industry figures.
The indictment follows a series of NCAA investigations that resulted in at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for gambling violations. Authorities have said at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling-related allegations.
