A North Carolina man prosecutors say had a "leadership role" in amassive college basketball point shaving schemehas pleaded guilty to bribery, wire fraud and firearms charges.
Jalen Smith, 30, of Charlotte, was the first of 26 defendants to admit criminal wrongdoing, entering his plea on Monday, March 9, at a hearing in Philadelphia.
Smith was a "fixer" who recruited players "to underperform and help ensure their team failed to cover the spread in games during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 NCAA men's basketball seasons," federal prosecutors said in a statement.
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Smith was one of the primary figures in the operation, responsible for "recruiting, managing, and paying players for their roles," according to the statement.
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended in 2022 after the NFL determined he had placed bets on games the season prior. Ridley played in only five games during the 2021 season, citing mental health issues. During Ridley's time away, Ridley acknowledged he bet on NFL games for a total of $1,500. He was reinstated in the league in 2023 and was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ippei Mizuhara, left, Shohei Ohtani's former longtime interpreter and confidant, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison in 2025 after stealing nearly $17 million from baseball's two-way global superstar to pay off sports gambling debts. Mizuhara, 40, utilized his proximity to Ohtani's personal information and his role tending to many of the superstar's off-field affairs to siphon funds from accounts and, as prosecutors allege, impersonate Ohtani in bank communications." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Betting scandals that have shaken up every major sports league over the century
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley wassuspended in 2022after the NFL determined he had placed bets on games the season prior. Ridley played in only five games during the 2021 season,citing mental health issues. During Ridley's time away,Ridley acknowledged he bet on NFL games for a total of $1,500. He was reinstated in the league in 2023 and wastraded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Theoperation involved 39 playersonmore than 17 Division I teamsfrom 2022-2025, with bettors wagering millions of dollars on at least 29 different games,according to the original indictment in January. Payments to players ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
The fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years. The bribery charges have a maximum sentence of five years. Smith also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College basketball point-shaving 'fixer' enters guilty plea
