College Basketball Faces Scandal And Heartbreak In Tumultuous Week

The world of college basketball is reeling after a pair of dramatic and deeply troubling events have rocked the sport to its core this week. While fans and players alike grapple with the ongoing fallout from a sprawling point-shaving scandal that has cast a shadow over NCAA Division I men’s basketball, a separate and deeply personal crisis has struck the Huntingdon College community. Gregory Johnson III, a 6-foot, 5-inch freshman standout for Huntingdon, collapsed on campus and now lies in intensive care, awaiting a critical heart procedure.

As news of Johnson’s medical emergency spread, the basketball world’s attention was already fixated on a bombshell federal indictment unsealed in Philadelphia. Prosecutors charged more than two dozen individuals—including over a dozen college basketball players—with orchestrating a sophisticated bribery and point-shaving conspiracy that spanned NCAA Division I and Chinese Basketball Association games. The scheme, according to court documents, involved more than 39 players from at least 17 different NCAA teams and the manipulation of at least 29 games for the benefit of high-stakes gamblers who wagered millions.

Federal authorities allege that players were recruited with promises of between $10,000 and $30,000 to influence games, usually by underperforming on offense or defense, missing easy shots, or intentionally limiting their team’s scoring. The fixers—described as a network of professional bettors and alumni—targeted athletes from smaller Division I schools, where players may not have access to lucrative NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals or revenue-sharing opportunities available at powerhouse programs.

“The stakes here are far higher than anything on a bet slip. The criminal charges we have filed allege the criminal corruption of collegiate athletics through an international conspiracy of NCAA players, alumni and professional bettors,” U.S. Attorney David Metcalf stated in a press release. “It’s also yet another blow to public confidence in the integrity of sport, which rests on the fundamental principles of fairness, honesty, and respect for the rules of competition.”

The indictment details how gamblers and fixers used text messages and real-time communication to recruit players and orchestrate the fixes as games unfolded. In one instance, a fixer texted, “U got somebody at Robert Morris?” and received the reply, “markese hastings,” referencing the school’s leading scorer. With Hastings and two teammates allegedly on board, organizers bet $256,000 against Robert Morris in a matchup with Northern Kentucky. The scheme called for the Robert Morris players to underperform in the first half, allowing Northern Kentucky to cover the 1.5-point spread. The plan worked—Northern Kentucky outscored Robert Morris 41-23 in the first half. Interestingly, Robert Morris rebounded in the second half and won 70-60, but the fixers had already cashed in.

After the game, Hastings reportedly texted the fixers, expressing his willingness to continue: “We might as well do the next one too. (This) was too easy,” according to the indictment. Hastings has since pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding and abetting bribery in sports. His attorney, William J. Brennan, pushed back, telling The Wall Street Journal, “The government always cherry picks what they feel are salacious little tidbits to spice up the indictment. I’ve found over the years that many times they’re taken out of context.”

Other examples cited in the indictment show just how brazen the operation had become. In a game between North Carolina A&T and Towson, fixers allegedly texted player Camian Shell during the contest, urging him to recruit more teammates if the fix appeared in jeopardy: “lf it start looking shaky(,) tell 2 or 3 other (North Carolina A&T players) what it is,” the message read, promising that “they (get) paid too.” Shell, according to prosecutors, replied with a “love” emoji. Like Hastings, Shell has pleaded not guilty.

In yet another midgame exchange, fixers complained to DePaul player Micawber Etienne that an uninvolved teammate was playing too well. Etienne replied that the players in on the scheme would keep the ball away from him, ensuring the plan’s success. The fixers assured him that if they stuck to the plan, the “bag,” or bribe payments, would be “on the way.”

Jalen Terry and Da’Sean Nelson, both from DePaul, were also implicated. During a contest against Georgetown, Terry scored zero points in the first half, helping the fixers win their bets. In the second half, Terry scored 16 points, but the damage was done. “l love Jalen terry he perfected his job . . .” one fixer texted another. “(Expletive) Nelson snapped too.” Both players have pleaded not guilty.

It’s a sobering moment for college basketball, a sport that has weathered its share of scandals but rarely on this scale. Point-shaving, where players intentionally underperform to manipulate betting outcomes, is hardly new, but the breadth and coordination alleged in this case are staggering. Fans, coaches, and league officials now face the daunting task of rebuilding trust in a game whose very foundation—fair play and competition—has been called into question.

Meanwhile, the Huntingdon College community is rallying around Gregory Johnson III, whose medical emergency has brought a different kind of heartbreak. Johnson, who joined the Hawks from Springwood Preparatory School in Lanett, was known on campus for his leadership and positive attitude. Coaches described him as “the perfect picture of a dedicated athlete.” After collapsing on campus, Johnson was rushed to the intensive care unit, where doctors determined he would need a procedure to regulate his heart rhythm.

As Johnson’s family, who reside in Opelika, face the emotional and financial challenges of his recovery, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover travel and medical expenses. The outpouring of support from teammates, coaches, and the wider community has been swift and heartfelt. There’s hope that Johnson’s resilience and the strength of those around him will see him through this difficult time.

While the headlines this week have been dominated by scandal and crisis, the stories of those affected—whether by corruption or by sudden illness—remind us of the human side of sports. For every tale of wrongdoing, there are countless examples of courage, camaraderie, and community spirit.

As federal investigations continue and the NCAA braces for the consequences, college basketball finds itself at a crossroads. The coming weeks will be critical, both for the future of the sport and for individuals like Gregory Johnson III, whose fight is just beginning. Stay tuned—the story, in more ways than one, is still unfolding.