Via Michael Rosenberg and Pat Forde of Sports Illustratedthe U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has charged twenty seventeen Division I basketball players for their alleged participation in a massive point-shaving scheme during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. According to the 70-page indictment, the plan is: which started with attempts to fix games in the Chinese Basketball Associationwas brought to college basketball by former NBA and LSU player Antonio Blakeney.
Blakeney, along with co-conspirators Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, recruited several male college players to fix games across the country. Some of those players then allegedly recruited more players into the scheme, leading to a total of 39 players named in the indictment, including several who played for Atlantic 10 programs.
Below is a detailed list of Atlantic 10 players and programs mentioned in the indictment.
St. Louis
In paragraphs 46 through 51 of the indictment, several defendants allegedly solicited Saint Louis C. Bradley Ezewiro and an unnamed player, offering bribes in exchange for the players underperforming against Duquesne on February 20, 2024. Duquesne led Saint Louis at halftime, 41-27, allowing the fixers to make good on their supposed bets. Duquesne went on to win the game 80-67.
After the game, Ezewiro reportedly recruited more players into the scheme, including DePaul’s Da’Sean Nelson. The indictment details extensive communications between Ezewiro and defendant Jalen Smith, including an agreement to speak via burner phones and a secret social media account.
The room
Described in paragraphs 52 and 53 of the indictment, Smith and Blakeney allegedly approached several La Salle players on February 21, 2024, offering bribes to underperform against St. Bonaventure. While it did not specifically allege that La Salle players took the bribes, the indictment alleges that two suspects bet on St. Bonaventure to cover the first-half spread. Those bets failed, but La Salle lost the match 81-76.
Fordham
According to the indictment, former Rams F Elijah Gray was allegedly recruited by Smith to underperform in a game against Duquesne on February 23, 2024. Gray was allegedly paid a bribe of approximately $10,000 or $15,000 to ensure Fordham would not cover a +3.5 point spread. Gray, along with an unnamed teammate, were reportedly instructed to score well below their season averages to ensure Duquesne covered the spread. Gray, who averaged 8.4 PPG that season, scored just 3 points against the Dukes. However, Fordham won the game 79-67.
Details of Gray’s alleged involvement are found in paragraphs 54-59 of the indictment.
Before this indictment Gray pleaded guilty to one count of bribery during sporting events on December 23, 2025. His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for March 18.
This is a development story.
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