As the NCAA Division I college basketball season prepares to kick off next month, one of the defendants in a notorious point-shaving scandal has learned his fate. On Tuesday, Jalen Smith received his sentence in a Philadelphia courtroom, concluding a chapter in a significant corruption case involving college sports.
Smith, who admitted to his role in fixing games, was involved with numerous student athletes during a two-year span. His actions affected matches involving teams coached by well-known figures like Rick Pitino and Dusty May, both of whom have celebrated national championships in their careers.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro heard Smith express remorse for his actions. The case has implicated over 20 players from various college programs. Smith, now 30 years old, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay about $1.1 million in restitution, a punishment at the lower end of federal guidelines which suggest prison terms ranging from 70 to 87 months.
“My decisions have consequences and I accept all of them,” Smith stated before the judge.
The hearing marks a pivotal moment as many courts across the nation gear up for a series of gambling-related cases. By the end of March, courtrooms will host a range of defendants, including former athletes, bookmakers, and poker players facing charges connected to match fixing.
Federal prosecutors indicted Smith in January for his engagement in a wide-reaching bribery and point-shaving operation. They allege that players involved in the scheme received bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.
Although he is the primary defendant in this case, Smith’s attorney, Rocco Cipparone, clarified that he was not involved in a related scheme pertaining to the Chinese Basketball Association that occurred before his college basketball activities.
Antonio Blakeney, a former NBA player now active overseas, has also been named in the indictment. Blakeney played for the Jiangsu Dragons last season, a team known for its past players, including Greg Oden and Toney Douglas. Prosecutors claim that Blakeney notified his conspirators of his intention to skip a game against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls on March 15, 2023, along with information about a teammate's absence. Armed with this intel, the syndicate allegedly placed significant wagers on the Golden Bulls, who went on to win the game decisively, 121-80.
Investigators reveal that the betting syndicate frequently placed their wagers at legal U.S. sportsbooks, including BetRivers in Philadelphia. Two of Smith’s co-defendants, Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, are also implicated in a larger conspiracy that spans multiple former NBA players. In another game that involved Blakeney, the syndicate reportedly wagered $198,300 at BetRivers.
Hennen even expressed the confidence in the gambling operation's success, texting a co-conspirator, “Nothing is guaranteed in life but Death, taxes and Chinese basketball.”
While Blakeney has not returned to the U.S. for extradition, he currently plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli league and has a contract extending through 2029. Allegations suggest he received compensation from the syndicate, including a package containing approximately $200,000 found in a storage unit in Florida.
Smith's reach extended into college basketball, specifically targeting players within several Division I programs in February 2024. DePaul University, often struggling in the Big East, became a key focus for Smith and his co-conspirators.
Court records indicate that Smith and Blakeney recruited Micawber Etienne, a 6'10" forward previously at UCLA, along with three other DePaul teammates. Over three weeks, these players allegedly performed poorly during several matches, culminating in a 104-77 defeat to St. John’s on March 5. St. John's entered halftime with a strong 54-28 lead, significantly covering the first-half spread set by sportsbooks, following a notable 30-6 scoring run.
Before the game, Hennen and Fairley reportedly wagered $52,395 on St. John's to cover the spread. Smith texted Etienne during the game, instructing him to avoid a teammate who was not involved in their scheme. After the game, Smith was said to have made a $40,000 cash payment to the players involved in the fix.
Beyond DePaul, Smith reportedly aimed to manipulate players from over a dozen less prominent Division I schools, many of which are situated in the Gulf Coast region, including Northwestern State, Nicholls State, Southern Mississippi, and Abilene Christian. Prosecutors noted that the bribes offered often exceeded the legitimate Name-Image-Likeness compensation opportunities available to student-athletes.
“Jalen Smith played a central role in this point-shaving scheme, which corrupted the integrity of NCAA games and the sport of basketball itself,” stated David Metcalf, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He emphasized that the prosecution served as a warning against the criminal corruption of sports.
Louis Lappen, another prosecutor involved, described the scheme as far-reaching, highlighting its unprecedented scale in the U.S. The point-shaving and bribery escapade included over 39 players from more than 17 teams, contributing to at least 29 NCAA game fixes and more than $3 million in fraudulent bets placed across the country.
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia, warned that anyone who exploits athletes for personal gain would face the consequences of their actions.
Smith, who has been characterized as a positive mentor to young athletes, was the first individual to be sentenced in this extensive investigation. He argued in court that he was merely a pawn in a larger scheme, although his involvement oversaw serious offenses compared to key figures leading the organization.
Numerous letters of support were provided to the court, detailing Smith's commitment to mentoring youth through basketball and his contributions as a community coach. His attorney noted that the lenient sentence reflects Smith's acceptance of responsibility and remorse.
“Mr. Smith will rebuild his life back to the positive contributing member of society he can and has been otherwise,” Cipparone remarked, confirming Smith's intent to demonstrate growth post-sentencing. Smith is expected to report to federal prison by December 1. Meanwhile, Hennen and Fairley continue to face legal proceedings, with Hennen scheduled for a plea hearing and Fairley awaiting sentencing in February.
