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A man prosecutors described as a central figure in a college basketball point-fixing and betting fraud scheme was sentenced to six years in federal prison, marking the first sentencing in a wider NCAA-related investigation.
According to prosecutors in Pennsylvania, Jalen Smith, 30, previously pleaded guilty to bribery and wire fraud charges tied to schemes affecting the 2023-24 and 2024-25 NCAA Division I basketball seasons. He also pleaded guilty to a separate felony gun possession charge.
Prosecutors say scheme touched nearly 30 NCAA games
Prosecutors said the operation involved nearly 30 Division I basketball games and generated more than $3 million in fraudulent wagers. An indictment said players were typically paid between $10,000 and $30,000 per game to intentionally underperform.
Schools mentioned in the case included DePaul University, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Tulane University.
Smith was also ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution.
First sentence in a broader betting-integrity investigation
Prosecutors said at least 26 other named defendants have been charged as part of the wider probe, which involves professional gamblers and college basketball players.
Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia office, said the sentence should serve as a warning to people who target athletes for profit.
> “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: Those who exploit professional and collegiate athletes for personal gain will be held accountable,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs added that the conduct “undermines the integrity of sports and the trust placed in fair competition.”
For sports bettors, the case is another reminder that betting-related corruption cases can reach well beyond individual games, drawing federal scrutiny when schemes allegedly manipulate outcomes and wagering markets. Based on the information released so far, prosecutors have not publicly detailed in this report which specific games were fixed or what penalties the remaining defendants may face.
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Source: As reported by Associated Press.
