College basketball is heading into March Madness under a cloud few expected. One of the largest point-shaving scandals in recent NCAA history has already produced its first guilty plea, and investigators say the scheme stretched across dozens of programs, involved more than 39 players, and touched multiple conferences.

The first domino fell this week when Jalen Smith, a North Carolina-based basketball trainer, appeared in federal court in Philadelphia and pleaded guilty to charges tied to bribing players and fixing games.

Prosecutors say Smith played a central role in a betting ring that manipulated Division I games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, paying athletes thousands of dollars to deliberately underperform.

The scale of the operation shocked investigators. According to court filings, the scheme involved 26 people, targeted more than 17 NCAA Division I programs, and attempted to manipulate at least 29 games.

Smith was not just a bettor placing wagers from the sidelines. Before becoming involved in the scheme, he worked as a trainer helping players prepare for professional scouting combines. That role allowed him to build relationships with college athletes across the country.

Prosecutors say he used those connections to recruit players willing to influence games. Athletes were offered $10,000 to $30,000 per game to alter performances. In many cases, that meant missing shots, committing turnovers, or failing to meet statistical expectations tied to betting lines.

The betting group then placed large wagers on those outcomes. Investigators say the operation handled millions of dollars in bets, generating significant profits for the organizers.

Smith’s role often involved delivering payments directly. In one instance cited by prosecutors, he traveled to Louisiana carrying $32,000 in cash to pay two players involved in a manipulated game.

The scheme expanded quickly. Programs including Tulane University and DePaul University were among the schools targeted as gamblers searched for vulnerable teams and players willing to participate.

A scandal that began overseas before reaching the NCAA

Authorities believe the operation did not start in college basketball. Investigators say the group first experimented with fixing games in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2023. Once the method proved profitable, attention shifted toward NCAA programs.

College basketball presented a tempting target. Large betting markets combined with lower-profile programs created an environment where manipulated performances could slip under the radar.

Eventually the scheme grew to include more than 40 schools and dozens of players, making it one of the most widespread gambling conspiracies tied to the sport in decades.

NCAA president Charlie Baker acknowledged the seriousness of the situation after the investigation became public. “Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA,” Baker said in a statement.

While Smith has become the first defendant to plead guilty, investigators are still examining the roles of others tied to the scheme. One of the most recognizable names connected to the case is former Chicago Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney.

The former LSU standout later played professionally in China’s CBA, where prosecutors believe parts of the scheme first took shape.

Authorities allege Blakeney accepted payments to underperform in certain contests and later encouraged teammates to participate in similar arrangements. Those allegations link the betting activity in both the CBA and NCAA games.

Whether Blakeney will ultimately plead guilty remains unclear. However, Smith’s admission in federal court suggests the broader legal fallout may only be beginning. With March Madness approaching and billions expected to be wagered on the tournament, the investigation has added a new layer of scrutiny to college basketball.

For the NCAA, the timing could hardly be worse. And for investigators, Smith’s guilty plea may only be the first step in unraveling a scandal that spread far deeper than anyone initially realized.