By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Federal prosecutors have charged 20 men in an alleged conspiracy to manipulate college basketball games, including former LSU and NBA player Antonio Blakeney, now a member of Hapoel Tel Aviv, the New York Times reports.
According to prosecutors, the scheme involved bribing college athletes to affect the outcome of games so teams would fail to cover the point spread. More than 39 players from over 17 Division I programs reportedly participated, with payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
Blakeney, who played in China for the Jiangsu Dragons at the time, was reportedly recruited in 2022 to manipulate his performance in certain games to benefit the betting ring operated by Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley. In one March 2023 game, Blakeney scored 11 points – far below his season average of 32 – while his team lost by 31 points.
Prosecutors allege he was paid $200,000 at the end of the season.
The indictment notes that the group later extended the scheme to Division I college games during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Hennen and Fairley had previously been charged in connection with an NBA gambling operation.
The NCAA has also been investigating players and schools mentioned in the indictment. Over the past year, several Division I players have been ruled permanently ineligible for actions including manipulating performance and providing information to gamblers.
NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of college sports and criticized the betting industry’s handling of prop bets on college players.