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Two former Alabama State basketball players were listed in a federal indictment Thursday, Jan. 15, in an alleged point-shaving scheme designed to enrich sports gamblers.
Corey Hines and Shawn Fulcher allegedly agreed to underperform to influence the outcome of a game that took place at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, between Alabama State and Southern Mississippi on Dec. 5, 2024.
According to the indictment, Southern Mississippi was favored by six points in the contest. Before the game, Hines, Fulcher, and two Alabama State players listed as Person #16 and Person #17 communicated via text with another defendant, Jalen Smith, to underperform in the game against Southern Mississippi in exchange for bribe payments.
In the indictment, Smith told Hines and Fulcher to make sure Southern Mississippi covered the spread because he was going to place a bet of $100,000 on the game. According to the indictment, Smith was going to pay Hines and Fulcher in "$100 bills" if the point-shaving game succeeded.
ASU BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Which Alabama State basketball players to watch for ahead of 2025-26 season
On Dec. 5, 2024, Smith wagered $860 on Southern Mississippi. After the first half of the game, Alabama State led by three heading into the half, causing Smith to feel concerned. Smith sent text messages to Fulcher and Hines expressing his concerns. Person #17 ensured the commitment to the point-shaving scheme.
According to the indictment Hines, Fulcher, Person #16 and Person #17 ensured Southern Mississippi covered the spread as Alabama State was outscored in the second half 51 to 31. Alabama State lost 81-64, and Southern Mississippi covered the spread, ensuring fixers won their bets.
According to the indictment, shortly after the Dec. 5, 2025 game, Smith communicated with Hines, Fulcher, Person #16 and Person #17 via text, stating he would pay them for fixing the game. However, Smith never delivered the promised payments.
"Alabama State University has been made aware that former basketball players have been identified as individuals involved in a national sports betting investigation. Alabama State University will fully cooperate with authorities and there will be no further comment," Alabama State President Quinton T. Ross Jr. said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 15.
Hines was an instrumental piece during the Hornets' historic run to the NCAA Tournament. Hines was the leading scoring for Alabama State in the SWAC title win over Jackson State on Mar. 15, 2025. Fulcher averaged 4.2 points per game for the Hornets during the 2024-25 season.
ASU BASKETBALL ANTICIPATED GAMES: What are the most anticipated games for Alabama State basketball in 2025-26 season?
The federal indictment, filed in Philadelphia, cites the charges of "bribery in sporting contest" and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Federal prosecutors allege that the gambling ring bribed 39 NCAA basketball players on 17 Division I basketball teams to fix over a dozen of basketball games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former Alabama State basketball players indicted in NCAA point-shaving scheme
Continue reading...
Corey Hines and Shawn Fulcher allegedly agreed to underperform to influence the outcome of a game that took place at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, between Alabama State and Southern Mississippi on Dec. 5, 2024.
According to the indictment, Southern Mississippi was favored by six points in the contest. Before the game, Hines, Fulcher, and two Alabama State players listed as Person #16 and Person #17 communicated via text with another defendant, Jalen Smith, to underperform in the game against Southern Mississippi in exchange for bribe payments.
In the indictment, Smith told Hines and Fulcher to make sure Southern Mississippi covered the spread because he was going to place a bet of $100,000 on the game. According to the indictment, Smith was going to pay Hines and Fulcher in "$100 bills" if the point-shaving game succeeded.
ASU BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Which Alabama State basketball players to watch for ahead of 2025-26 season
On Dec. 5, 2024, Smith wagered $860 on Southern Mississippi. After the first half of the game, Alabama State led by three heading into the half, causing Smith to feel concerned. Smith sent text messages to Fulcher and Hines expressing his concerns. Person #17 ensured the commitment to the point-shaving scheme.
According to the indictment Hines, Fulcher, Person #16 and Person #17 ensured Southern Mississippi covered the spread as Alabama State was outscored in the second half 51 to 31. Alabama State lost 81-64, and Southern Mississippi covered the spread, ensuring fixers won their bets.
According to the indictment, shortly after the Dec. 5, 2025 game, Smith communicated with Hines, Fulcher, Person #16 and Person #17 via text, stating he would pay them for fixing the game. However, Smith never delivered the promised payments.
"Alabama State University has been made aware that former basketball players have been identified as individuals involved in a national sports betting investigation. Alabama State University will fully cooperate with authorities and there will be no further comment," Alabama State President Quinton T. Ross Jr. said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 15.
Hines was an instrumental piece during the Hornets' historic run to the NCAA Tournament. Hines was the leading scoring for Alabama State in the SWAC title win over Jackson State on Mar. 15, 2025. Fulcher averaged 4.2 points per game for the Hornets during the 2024-25 season.
ASU BASKETBALL ANTICIPATED GAMES: What are the most anticipated games for Alabama State basketball in 2025-26 season?
The federal indictment, filed in Philadelphia, cites the charges of "bribery in sporting contest" and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Federal prosecutors allege that the gambling ring bribed 39 NCAA basketball players on 17 Division I basketball teams to fix over a dozen of basketball games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former Alabama State basketball players indicted in NCAA point-shaving scheme
Continue reading...
