The Bribe That Broke the Bracket: How a Gambling Ring Fixed 29 NCAA Games
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Philadelphia PA, the integrity of college basketball has been hit by a “seismic” blow. In a federal indictment unsealed on Thursday, January 15, 2026, authorities in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania exposed a sweeping international point-shaving conspiracy.
The scheme involves 39 players, 17 Division I teams, and millions of dollars in fraudulent wagers. Described by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf as an “international criminal conspiracy,” the operation allegedly fixed or attempted to fix at least 29 games over the last two seasons.
The Masterminds: From China to the NCAA
The conspiracy didn’t start in a locker room, but on the courts of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). According to the 70-page indictment, the ring was spearheaded by “fixers” Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, alongside former NBA player Antonio Blakeney.
After successfully rigging games in China—where Hennen famously texted a co-conspirator that the only certainties in life were “death, taxes, and Chinese basketball”—the group turned their sights on the NCAA for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
How the Scheme Worked
The “fixers” targeted specific players, offering bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game. The strategy was calculated:
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Targeting Underdogs: They recruited players on teams already expected to lose, making it easier to hide “underperforming” to ensure they didn’t cover the point spread.
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Exploiting NIL Gaps: Fixers specifically sought out athletes whose bribe payments would “meaningfully supplement or exceed” their legitimate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
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Manipulation Tactics: Players were instructed to miss shots, turn over the ball, or keep it away from teammates who weren’t in on the fix.
The Schools & Players Named
While dozens of unnamed players are referenced, several high-profile names and institutions were directly cited in the federal filings.
| School | Notable Details |
| Kennesaw State | Preseason Player of the Year Simeon Cottle and Demond Robinson allegedly received $40,000 to fix a March 2024 game. |
| DePaul | Four players, including Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry, allegedly took $40,000 to underperform in three Big East games. |
| Tulane | Former forward Kevin Cross allegedly accepted $30,000 to ensure the team didn’t cover the spread against East Carolina. |
| Saint Louis | Center Bradley Ezewiro allegedly helped recruit other players, labeling one team “ready to tap in.” |
Full List of Schools Implicated: Abilene Christian, Alabama State, Buffalo, Coppin State, DePaul, Eastern Michigan, Fordham, Kennesaw State, La Salle, New Orleans, Nicholls State, North Carolina A&T, Northwestern State, Robert Morris, Saint Louis, Southern Miss, and Tulane.
The Fall-Out: Suspensions and “Lifetime Bans”
NCAA President Charlie Baker confirmed that the enforcement staff is already investigating roughly 40 student-athletes.
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Current Status: Four charged players—Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Camian Shell, and Oumar Koureissi—competed as recently as this week.
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Suspensions: Eastern Michigan has already suspended Carlos Hart indefinitely.
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Legal Jeopardy: The defendants face federal charges of bribery in sporting contests (up to 5 years) and wire fraud (up to 20 years).
“Everyone is victimized by this,” stated U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “The fans, the honest athletes, and the teammates working their tails off.”
As the FBI continues its investigation, the 2026 “Mega-Bust” serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting and the financial pressures on collegiate athletes.
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Only the tip of the iceberg…..college football is replete with quarterbacks on the take. Easiest position to influence.
This is old news, this shit goes on and every sport. Good luck, stopping it.
This is one of the few industries that is desperately in need of more regulation