Jalen Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on March 9 before United States District Court Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to charges related to a bribery and point-shaving scheme involving National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball games and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
The case is significant because it involves attempts to manipulate the outcomes of collegiate and professional basketball games for financial gain. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Smith admitted guilt to bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Smith was charged after an indictment unsealed on January 15, 2026, revealed his involvement in influencing or fixing NCAA and CBA men’s basketball games from September 2022 through February 2025. Prosecutors said that after co-schemers profited from fixed CBA games, they shifted their focus to NCAA men’s basketball. Smith acted as a “fixer,” recruiting players and offering bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons. He managed communications with players through various means including social media and text messages.
The scheme targeted college athletes whose legitimate compensation opportunities were limited compared to the bribe amounts offered. More than 39 players across at least 17 NCAA Division I teams were involved in fixing or attempting to fix over 29 games. In one instance in March 2024, Smith urged a player via text message during halftime to underperform so that the team would lose by a larger margin.
Millions of dollars were wagered on these fixed games by Smith and other fixers. When successful bets were placed on manipulated outcomes, cash bribes were delivered directly to participating players at their campuses. In addition to sports-related charges, Smith also pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded semi-automatic pistol found during a search of his residence in May 2025.
Smith faces up to five years imprisonment for bribery in sporting contests; up to twenty years each for conspiracy and wire fraud; and up to fifteen years for firearms possession—all carrying potential fines of $250,000 per count. The FBI investigated the case with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorneys Louis D. Lappen and Jerome M. Maiatico.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about these crimes or related activities involving NCAA point-shaving schemes to contact FBI Philadelphia at 215-418-4000.
