PHILADELPHIA — A man who helped rig college basketball games in a multimillion-dollar point-shaving scheme was sentenced to six years in federal prison, prosecutors announced Tuesday, The Associated Press reported via KTAR News.
Jalen Smith, 30, of Charlotte, North Carolina, played a “central role” in fixing games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 NCAA Division I seasons, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said. Smith placed bets and recruited players with promises of big payments to underperform.
It is the first sentence in a case involving nearly 30 games and schools including DePaul, Buffalo and Tulane. Prosecutors say Smith and at least 26 other defendants wagered millions and paid players $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
The scheme produced more than $3 million in fraudulent wagers. Smith, who also pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge, must pay $1.1 million in restitution.
“Those who exploit professional and collegiate athletes for personal gain will be held accountable,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia office.
The sentencing comes as the 2026-27 college basketball season begins.
Sources: Associated Press via KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
