How Gamblers Are Rigging College Basketball - The Journal. Recap

Podcast: The Journal.

Published: 2026-03-18

Duration: 18 min

Guests: Jared Diamond

What Happened

In 2024, a text message was sent to a group chat seeking a player from Robert Morris, a small D1 college in Pennsylvania, to throw a basketball game for betting purposes. Marquise Hastings, the leading scorer for Robert Morris, allegedly agreed to participate in this point-shaving scheme and even recruited two of his teammates. Their task was to underperform to ensure the team was down by at least two points by the end of the first half, allowing gamblers to place successful bets against Robert Morris.

The scheme involved placing substantial bets on various sportsbooks against Robert Morris covering the spread in the first half. The gamblers then rewarded the participating players with bribes. This classic form of corruption in sports was eventually detected, leading to a federal indictment against the involved gamblers. Hastings has pleaded not guilty, but the damage to the perception of sports integrity, especially during March Madness, has already been done.

Sports betting has become ubiquitous in the United States, facilitated by platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel, which have expanded betting markets beyond Las Vegas. This widespread availability of betting opportunities has made it easier for schemes like the one at Robert Morris to occur. The regulated sports betting industry claims to support transparency and integrity, yet these incidents highlight vulnerabilities in the system.

Shane Hennen and Marvez Fairley, central figures in the gambling ring, have a background in selling gambling picks and have previously engaged in similar schemes in China's basketball league. They exploited connections within the college basketball sphere to target small schools lacking in lucrative endorsement deals. These players, often without prospects of going professional, were more susceptible to participating in point-shaving activities.

The NCAA has expressed concern over the rise of gambling in sports, emphasizing the need to eliminate collegiate prop bets. NCAA President Charlie Baker has urged state gaming commissions to ban these bets, which are a significant concern due to their potential for manipulation. Some states have complied, but many continue to allow these bets due to their profitability for sportsbooks.

The discovery of the scheme was initiated by an NBA investigation involving former Toronto Raptors player Jante Porter. Excessive betting on Porter's performance raised suspicions, leading to a broader investigation that uncovered the college basketball scheme. This revelation has further fueled the NCAA's alarm over betting's impact on sports integrity.

As the NCAA tournament, March Madness, begins, the integrity of games remains a concern. The assumption that sports competition is genuine is crucial, yet these scandals challenge that belief. The pervasive nature of betting has led to a culture of suspicion, where fans and analysts frequently question the authenticity of players' performances.

Fans' increasing skepticism about the authenticity of sports events poses a threat to the industry. The prevalence of betting and the potential for manipulation undermine trust in the fairness of games. As sports betting continues to grow, maintaining the integrity of sports remains a critical issue for leagues and regulators alike.

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