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Jalen Smith was sentenced to six years in federal prison in a college basketball point-fixing case that prosecutors said touched nearly 30 NCAA games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Division I seasons.
WVNS and WOWK reported that prosecutors described Smith as a central figure in a broader scheme involving professional gamblers and college basketball players. The outlets reported that Smith pleaded guilty earlier in 2026 to bribery and wire fraud charges, and that he also pleaded guilty to a separate felony gun possession charge.
Case tied to nearly 30 games and more than $3 million in wagers
WVNS and WOWK reported that the scheme involved nearly 30 NCAA basketball games and produced more than $3 million in fraudulent wagers. Prosecutors accused Smith and at least 26 other named defendants of wagering millions of dollars and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to players, according to the outlets.
The outlets reported that Smith allegedly placed bets and recruited players with promises of payment to purposely underperform during games. Payments to players typically ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, according to an indictment cited by WVNS and WOWK.
Schools mentioned in the case included DePaul University, the State University of New York at Buffalo and Tulane University, the outlets reported.
Restitution ordered as broader investigation continues
WVNS and WOWK reported that Smith must pay $1.1 million in restitution. The charges also targeted over a dozen former college basketball players and four other players who were active with their college teams last season, WVNS reported.
"Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: Those who exploit professional and collegiate athletes for personal gain will be held accountable," Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia office, said in a statement reported by WVNS and WOWK.
WOWK reported that this was the first penalty handed down in the investigation.
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Sources: As reported by wvnstv.com and wowktv.com.
