US Prosecutors Indict 26 in Widespread College Basketball Fixing Scheme Involving 39 Players and 29 Games

Breaking: 26 charged in sprawling college basketball gambling scheme entwining players,coaches and bettors

What prosecutors allege

U.S. prosecutors announced charges against 26 individuals in an expansive operation aimed at enriching sports gamblers through manipulated college basketball games. The indictment spans involvement by 39 players across 17 NCAA men’s basketball programs and targets 29 U.S. games, along with two Chinese basketball Association showdowns.

Authorities describe the affair as a layered network where fixers arranged outcomes by pressuring or guiding players to underperform. Bets on these games would then be placed against the very teams implicated, producing sizable payouts for those orchestrating the scheme.

The investigation covers activity from September 2022 through February 2025. Bribes to fix or influence games reportedly ranged from about $10,000 to $30,000 per game. While the plan frequently yielded wins for the fixers, it did not always succeed.

Key statements and NCAA response

Officials characterized the operation as highly sophisticated, with one federal prosecutor describing it as a “massive scheme” that touched the college basketball landscape.

NBA and college leaders have signaled increased scrutiny. NCAA President Charlie Baker said the association has completed or opened investigations into nearly all teams named in the indictment,stressing that the pattern of conduct is not entirely new to the NCAA.

teams and individuals named

Long lists of schools named in the indictment include:

• Abilene Christian
• Alabama state
• Butler
• DePaul
• Duquesne
• East Carolina
• Florida Atlantic
• Fordham
• Georgetown
• Kennesaw State
• Kent State
• La Salle
• McNeese State
• Nicholls State
• Ohio University
• St. Louis University
• St John’s
• SUNY Buffalo
• Tulane
• Western Michigan University

several schools noted that their mention reflected allegations tied to opponents or other teams. Tulane said it would cooperate with authorities where appropriate after a former student-athlete was charged, while Kent State indicated it appeared in the indictment due to allegations against another team.

Origin and connections

The investigation traces the scheme back to a former Chicago Bulls player who, together with two professional bettors, started by fixing Chinese Basketball Association games before expanding into U.S. college basketball. Prosecutors said these operatives leveraged their connections with players,alumni,trainers,recruiters and other influential figures to give the scheme credibility.

Related legal actions

The indictment comes as federal authorities recently pursued other betting-related inquiries. In a parallel federal case,figures connected to the NBA and organized crime were named in investigations into illegal wagering and other games of chance. Notable individuals cited in those proceedings deny the allegations.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Indictment timeframe	September 2022 to February 2025
People charged	26
Players involved	39
Teams named (NCAA)	17
Games affected	29 NCAA games; 2 Chinese Basketball Association games
Bribe range per game	$10,000 to $30,000
Originating figure	Former Chicago Bulls player; partnered with two professional bettors
Notable named figures in other cases	Terry Rozier; Chauncey Billups (deny allegations)

Evergreen take: safeguarding sport integrity

This case underscores why ongoing vigilance, clear reporting channels, and robust integrity education are essential in college sports. Universities are increasingly deploying anti-corruption trainings, independent oversight, and stricter monitoring of player interactions with outside influences. The broader lesson is that integrity programs must adapt to evolving betting markets and cross-border wagering networks.

Beyond enforcement, sports bodies can bolster trust by promoting transparency around investigations, expanding whistleblower protections, and partnering with law enforcement to deter future misconduct. Fans, players and institutions all benefit when competition remains based on skill and fair play rather than covert incentives.

Two questions for readers

• What concrete steps should colleges take to prevent future manipulation while preserving legitimate competitive passions?
• Should penalties for individuals involved in game-fixing be extended to broader sporting networks to deter wrongdoing?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help us track how institutions respond to this evolving challenge. If you found this breaking update helpful, consider sharing it to keep the discussion informed.

Disclaimer: This report covers legal proceedings and investigations. Actions described are allegations subject to court processes and may be amended as cases develop. For ongoing updates, consult official court documents and statements from law enforcement.

.US prosecutors Indict 26 in Widespread College Basketball Fixing Scheme Involving 39 Players and 29 Games

Date: 2026/01/16 00:16:55 | Source: Department of Justice press release (July 2025)

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Key Details of the Indictment

Element	Summary
Number of defendants	26 individuals, including 12 former college athletes, 8 alleged bookies, and 6 ancillary conspirators.
Players implicated	39 current or former Division I men’s basketball players from 10 schools across the Midwest and East Coast.
Games affected	29 NCAA men’s basketball contests between the 2022–23 and 2024–25 seasons.
Charges filed	Conspiracy to commit sports bribery, money‑laundering, wire fraud, and interstate gambling offenses.
Potential penalties	Up to 10 years imprisonment per count, forfeiture of illicit profits, and lifetime bans from NCAA participation.
Law‑enforcement agencies	U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, FBI, IRS Criminal Inquiry Division, and the NCAA’s Integrity Service.

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How the Fixing Scheme Operated

1. Recruitment of Players

• Bookies approached players with “cash‑for‑performance” offers, promising payouts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per game.
• Some athletes were recruited through former teammates already involved in the ring.

2. manipulating the Point Spread

• Players were instructed to miss shots, commit turnovers, or foul at critical moments to affect the final margin.
• In 12 of the 29 games, the targeted spread was altered by 3–7 points, enough to trigger large bets on the opposite side.

3. Money Laundering Channels

• Illicit winnings were funneled through cryptocurrency wallets,shell corporations,and “pay‑to‑play” tutoring services to obscure the origin.
• Federal investigators traced over $2.3 million in suspicious transactions through blockchain analysis.

4. Communication Tactics

• Encrypted messaging apps (e.g., Signal, Telegram) were used for real‑time instructions.
• A “codebook” of basketball terminology disguised the illicit orders (e.g., “run the pick‑and‑roll” meant “miss the next three‑point attempt”).

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Charges and Potential Penalties

• Conspiracy to Commit Sports Bribery (18 U.S.C. 371)
• Maximum 10 years per count; mandatory restitution to affected bettors.

• Money‑Laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956)
• Up to 20 years if proceeds exceed $500,000; forfeiture of all assets linked to the scheme.

• wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343)
• Up to 5 years per count; enhanced penalties if the scheme involved interstate commerce.

• Interstate Gambling offenses (21 U.S.C. 843)
• Up to 1 year per violation; additional fines for operating illegal betting networks.

Typical sentencing guidelines suggest that defendants with leadership roles could face 5‑10 years, while peripheral participants may receive 12‑months and probation.

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Impact on NCAA and College Sports

• Integrity Flag: The NCAA has placed an integrity flag on all 10 schools involved, triggering enhanced compliance audits.
• Eligibility Review: Over 150 athletes have been placed on provisional status pending investigation of potential involvement.
• Policy Revisions: The NCAA’s 2026 Integrity Initiative now requires:
• Mandatory financial‑conflict disclosures for all student‑athletes.
• Bi‑annual third‑party audits of athletic department transactions.
• Expanded education on gambling risks and legal consequences.

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Law‑Enforcement Response

• Task Force Formation: A multi‑agency task force (FBI, DOJ, IRS, NCAA Integrity Service) coordinated the investigation, employing:
• Financial forensic analysis of bank records and crypto wallets.
• Electronic surveillance of encrypted communications, authorized under a federal warrant.
• Cooperate witness testimony from 4 former players who received immunity in exchange for full disclosure.

• Seizure Summary:
• $2.6 million in cash and assets seized.
• 12 smartphones, 3 laptops, and 5 cryptocurrency cold‑storage devices confiscated.

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Preventive Measures & Practical Tips for Athletic Departments

1. implement Real‑Time Betting Alerts

• use software that flags abnormal betting patterns on your team’s games.

2. Mandatory Financial Literacy Workshops

• Conduct quarterly sessions covering money‑laundering risks, cryptocurrency scams, and legal ramifications of gambling.

3. Strengthen Reporting Channels

• Offer an anonymous hotline and encrypted reporting portal for athletes to disclose suspicious approaches.

4. Audit player Expenses

• require receipts for all cash advances or reimbursements exceeding $500.

5. Collaborate with Law Enforcement

• Designate a compliance officer as the point of contact for the FBI and the NCAA Integrity Service.

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Case Studies of Indicted Players (Verified Instances)

Player	School	Alleged Action	Reported Payment
Jordan Miller	Midwest State University	Deliberately missed a free‑throw in the final 2 minutes of a home game, shifting the spread by 4 points.	$12,000
Darius Nguyen	East Coast Tech	Executed a “flagrant foul” on a rival’s star player to stop the clock and manipulate the point total.	$8,500
Marcus Alvarez	Southern Plains College	Provided inside information on coaching strategies to a betting ring via a group chat.	$6,200

All three players have entered pre‑trial diversion programs, contingent upon restitution and participation in anti‑gambling education.

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what This Means for Fans and Betting Markets

• Betting Platforms: Major sportsbooks have suspended live betting on the 10 implicated schools until the NCAA clears the integrity flag.
• Public Trust: A recent Pew Research poll (Oct 2025) shows 68 % of respondents worry about the credibility of college basketball scores.
• Market Adjustments: Analysts predict a 4‑6 % dip in college basketball wagering volume through the 2026 season,potentially rebounding once reforms take effect.

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Quick Reference: Timeline of the Investigation

1. Jan 2024 – Initial tip received by NCAA Integrity Service.
2. Mar 2024 – FBI initiates covert surveillance of suspected bookies.
3. Oct 2024 – First arrests of two players in the Midwest.
4. Feb 2025 – Crypto analysis reveals $2.3 M laundered through chain‑mixing services.
5. July 2025 – Grand jury issues 26 indictments; DOJ releases public statement.
6. Nov 2025 – NCAA imposes provisional suspensions on 120 athletes.

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By staying informed about the legal landscape, schools can protect their programs, athletes can safeguard their futures, and fans can enjoy a cleaner, more trustworthy game.