As the NCAA Division I college basketball season approaches its start next month, Jalen Smith, a defendant in a major point-shaving scandal, has received his sentence in a Philadelphia courtroom. Smith, who admitted to his role in fixing games, was sentenced to six years in prison on Tuesday, just weeks before the season begins.
Smith, 30, was linked with manipulating games involving numerous college athletes over a two-year span. Some of these fixes targeted teams coached by renowned figures such as Rick Pitino and Dusty May, both of whom have national championships to their names.
During the sentencing, presided over by U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, Smith expressed regret for his actions, stating, "My decisions have consequences and I accept all of them." He will serve a 72-month term, which is at the lower end of the sentencing guideline range of 70 to 87 months. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution.
This case is part of broader attempts by leagues, regulators, and lawmakers to re-establish integrity in sports, coinciding with several pending gambling-related trials across the country. By March, courtrooms will see a wave of former professional athletes, bookmakers, and poker players facing similar charges.
In January, federal prosecutors charged Smith with his involvement in a bribery and point-shaving syndicate, where players allegedly received $10,000 to $30,000 for their participation. Although Smith was considered the lead defendant, his attorney Rocco Cipparone clarified that he was not involved in any prior scheme related to the Chinese Basketball Association.
Notably, the indictment also named Antonio Blakeney, a former NBA player now with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel. During the most recent Chinese Basketball Association season, Blakeney participated with the Jiangsu Dragons, competing alongside several recognized players. In a specific incident, he allegedly communicated that he would not play in a game against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, allowing the syndicate to place a six-figure bet on the opposing team. The Dragons suffered a substantial loss of 121-80, facilitating an easy win for the conspirators.
Betting operations allegedly took place at various legal sportsbooks, including BetRivers in Philadelphia, with significant wagers being placed on games tied to the point-shaving scheme. Hennen and Fairley, two of Smith's co-defendants, have also been charged in a related Brooklyn conspiracy involving several ex-NBA players.
Prosecutors allege that during one game involving Blakeney in China, a bet of $198,300 was placed at BetRivers. One of Hennen's messages included the phrase, "Nothing is guaranteed in life but Death, taxes and Chinese basketball," reflecting the confidence in their operations.
Smith's activities extended into college basketball, where he and Blakeney sought to recruit players from multiple Division I schools. DePaul University was particularly targeted due to its struggles in the Big East Conference. Over the course of three weeks, Smith worked with players including Micawber Etienne, who had previously played at UCLA, convincing them to partake in the scheme.
The Blue Demons reportedly underperformed during this period, culminating in a notable loss to St. John’s on March 5. Hennen, Fairley, and others allegedly wagered $52,395 on the first-half spread favoring St. John’s, which they covered easily. Smith expressed concern during the game, texting Etienne to avoid involving a teammate not in on the scheme, while afterward delivering a $40,000 bribe to the players involved.
In total, the point-shaving scheme allegedly involved over 39 players across more than 17 teams, and affected at least 29 NCAA games, resulting in over $3 million in fraudulent bets and $1.1 million in losses for sportsbooks.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf remarked, "Jalen Smith played a central role in this point-shaving scheme, which corrupted the integrity of NCAA games and the sport of basketball itself.” Another prosecutor, Louis Lappen, emphasized the unprecedented scale of the case in American sports history.
Smith, positioned as a community mentor and youth basketball coach, is the first to be sentenced in this extensive scandal. His attorney noted that Smith expressed that he felt like a "pawn" in the operation. Despite the serious nature of his crimes, Smith received numerous letters that highlighted his positive contributions to youth sports, suggesting a conflict between his community role and criminal actions.
With the court recognizing Smith's acceptance of responsibility, his sentence reflects this acknowledgment. His attorney, Cipparone, expressed confidence that Smith would rebuild his life positively. Smith is expected to report to federal prison by December 1. In related developments, Hennen is set to change his plea, while Fairley awaits sentencing in Brooklyn in February.
