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Feds Charge 20 in Alleged College Basketball Point-Shaving Scheme Tied to China

Prosecutors say the plot began with fixes in China’s professional league before expanding to U.S. college games through bribes to players.

Overview

  • An unsealed 70-page indictment in Philadelphia charges 20 men with sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aiding and abetting.
  • Authorities allege more than 39 players across at least 17 Division I programs fixed or attempted to fix over 29 games during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
  • Fifteen defendants played Division I during those seasons, with currently active players named including Simeon Cottle, Camian Shell, Carlos Hart, and Oumar Koureissi.
  • Prosecutors detail payments of $10,000–$30,000 per game and say conspirators used FaceTime, burner phones, proxy bettors, and large wagers, including bets placed at Rivers Casino.
  • The case overlaps with earlier NBA wagering probes involving Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, while Antonio Blakeney is listed as “charged elsewhere”; the NCAA says it is cooperating and urging limits on collegiate prop bets.