Via Sports Illustrated’s Michael Rosenberg and Pat Forde, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted 20 men’s basketball players from 17 Division I for their alleged participation in a large-scale point-shaving scheme during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. According to the 70-page indictment, the scheme, which began with attempts to fix games in the Chinese Basketball Association, was brought to college basketball by former NBA and LSU player Antonio Blakeney.
Blakeney, along with co-conspirators Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, recruited several men’s college players to fix games across the country. Some of those players allegedly then recruited more players to 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 named in the indictment.
Saint Louis
In paragraphs 46 to 51 of the indictment, several defendants allegedly approached Saint Louis C Bradley Ezewiro and an unnamed player, offering bribe payments in exchange for the players underperforming against Duquesne on February 20th, 2024. Duquesne led Saint Louis at the half, 41-27, allowing the fixers to hit on their alleged bets. Duquesne went on to win the game, 80-67.
Following the game, Ezewiro allegedly recruited more players into the scheme, including DePaul’s Da’Sean Nelson. The indictment details extended communication between Ezewiro and defendant Jalen Smith, including an agreement to speak via burner phones and a secret social media account.
La Salle
Described in paragraphs 52 and 53 of the indictment, Smith and Blakeney allegedly approached several La Salle players, offering bribe payments to underperform against St. Bonaventure on February 21st, 2024. While no La Salle players were specifically alleged to have taken the bribe, the indictment claims that two defendants bet on St. Bonaventure to cover the first-half spread. Those bets failed, but La Salle lost the game, 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 23rd, 2024. Gray was allegedly offered a bribe payment of approximately $10,000 or $15,000 to ensure that Fordham would not cover a +3.5-point spread. Gray, along with an unnamed teammate, were allegedly 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 went on to win the game, 79-67.
Details of Gray’s alleged involvement can be found in paragraphs 54-59 of the indictment.
Before this indictment, Gray pleaded guilty to one count of bribery in sporting contests on December 23rd, 2025. His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for March 18th.
This is a developing story.
