Former DePaul University basketball players charged in point-shaving scheme, according to indictment
CHICAGO (WLS) — Former DePaul Blue Demon basketball players were among college basketball players accused in a point-shaving scheme to fix basketball games, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
The indictment involved a scheme to fix games in the NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association.
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The players charged in the indictment include Jalen Terry and Da’Sean Nelson, who each last played in the 2023-24 season. A third player, Micawber Etienne, is mentioned in the indictment as being charged elsewhere.
READ FULL INDICTMENT
According to the indictment, “On or about February 24,2024, in the NCAA men’s basketball game between Georgetown and DePaul, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, defendants Jalen Terry and Da’Sean Nelson, and Micawber Etienne and Person #6, underperformed in and influenced the first halfas they had agreed. Georgetown outscored DePaul 4l to 28 in the first half, covering the spread of approximately 2.5 points, and the fixers won their bets.”
The indictment also mentions games against Butler and St. John as part of the point-shaving scheme.
Terry, Nelson and Etienne were bribed $40,000 to lose the Georgetown game, the indictment said. The same amount was allegedly promised for other games.
The indictment also includes former All-American Antonio Blakeney, who once played for the Chicago Bulls.
“When criminals rig the outcome of games for the purpose to lose rather than to win, we all lose,” U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania David Metcalf said.
The scheme involved 17 NCAA Division I Men’s programs and dozens of college athletes.
“The player would then agree to deliberately underperform in the game in which his team was favored to lose by a certain amount of points; they would then try to lose the game by more than that amount,” Metcalf said.
Federal prosecutors say the “fixers” bribed players to underperform, placed bets and won millions on fixed games.
The scheme took place during the 2023-2024 season.
Student-athletes Thursday said they understand the temptation for money, but would never risk their integrity to doing something illegal.
“Personally, as a student-athlete, we should carry ourselves well; I think that’s not OK. And I don’t think it’s something we should do,” said Joshua Hill, a DePaul University student-athlete.
“It’s really easy to fall into temptation, especially when it comes to money. But, as an athlete, you represent a school and have to hold yourself to a higher standard,” said Alex Longcraine, another student-athlete.
Federal prosecutors say if the athletes are found guilty on fraud charges, they could face a maximum of 20 years in a federal prison.
Bribery carries a maximum of five years.
DePaul released a statement saying, “DePaul University is deeply disappointed that former student-athletes were named in the indictment for alleged gambling activities during the 2023-2024 men’s basketball season. No current student-athletes were members of the 2023-2024 team.
“The university has a longstanding commitment to educating our athletics community about the dangers and consequences of sports gambling.
“DePaul participates in comprehensive sports wagering monitoring through Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), the integrity services provider for BIG EAST Conference competitions. In addition, DePaul maintains a robust compliance education program and annually engages EPIC Risk Management, the NCAA’s official sports gambling education partner, to provide independent, accredited training for student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
“We will continue to evaluate and strengthen our education, monitoring, and compliance efforts to protect the integrity of competition and the well-being of our student-athletes.
“The university will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
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