Two defendants admit guilt in college basketball point manipulation case

There has been a major development in the point manipulation case in US college basketball. At a hearing held in Philadelphia on October 14, the federal judge sentenced coach Jalen Smith to 72 months in prison. Smith is the first defendant to be punished in the case, which covers at least 17 NCAA Division I teams. The sentences of the other two defendants will be determined early next year.

This week, Roderick Winkler admitted to several charges, including bribery. The 32-year-old Winkler worked with others to persuade players to deliberately perform poorly. Living in Little Rock, Arkansas, Winkler could easily reach top-level players because he coached in AAU and high school basketball.

According to prosecutors, the network promised players far more money than they could legally earn from their name, image and likeness rights. The target was generally teams in the lower standings, and the aim was to keep those teams from covering the betting spread. In total, more than 39 players are reported to have been involved, and more than 29 games were reportedly targeted for manipulation.

Former Southern Mississippi player Arlando Arnold is also ready to admit a charge of bribery and conspiracy. Arnold is alleged to have manipulated two games in the 2023/24 season and to have recruited a player for another. Prosecutors said the scandal caused more than $1.1 million in losses to betting companies and that more than $3 million in fake bets were placed.