Fixer in college basketball point-shaving scandal pleads guilty

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Jalen Smith, a 30-year-old North Carolina man, has pleaded guilty to bribery, wire fraud, and firearms charges related to his role as a "fixer" in a massive college basketball point-shaving scheme. Prosecutors say Smith recruited players to underperform and help ensure bets covered the spread during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 NCAA men's basketball seasons, involving 39 players on more than 17 Division I teams.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of point-shaving and game-fixing scandals in college sports, which undermine the integrity of the games and can lead to significant financial losses for bettors. It also raises concerns about the vulnerability of student-athletes to exploitation by criminal enterprises.

The details

According to prosecutors, Smith was one of the primary figures in the operation, responsible for "recruiting, managing, and paying players for their roles." The scheme involved bettors wagering millions of dollars on at least 29 different games, with players receiving payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

• Smith pleaded guilty on March 9, 2026.
• The scheme took place during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 NCAA men's basketball seasons.

What’s next

Smith faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years for the fraud charges and 5 years for the bribery charges. He also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm.