Behind the Texts That Led to Jalen Smith’s Guilty Plea in NCAA Basketball Fixing Scheme

One of those indicted in a widespread college basketball point-shaving scheme has pleaded guilty. Jalen Smith admitted to bribing college players to underperform in matches between 2022 and 2025.

The North Carolina resident was involved in the training and development of local basketball players for professional scouting combines. He used his connections with colleges to recruit players, offering them payments of $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

His lawyer, Rocco Cipparone, said Smith pleaded guilty to get the matter behind him and “move forward in his life in a positive direction.”

In a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said Smith pleaded guilty to four counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The combined charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 60 years, but with a guilty plea, that should be reduced considerably.

Smith Wanted to ‘Clean Up’ Communication

Prosecutors gathered extensive evidence of the scheme, revealing incriminating text messages that Smith sent to players. The 30-year-old was aware that his communication could lead to charges, but continued to exchange messages, contact players through social media, and by phone.

In one message to Bradley Ezewiro, a player at St. Louis University, he wrote they needed to “clean up how we text.” He said he would speak further on a “burner” phone and secret social media accounts.

However, using burner phones and secret accounts could not prevent prosecutors from uncovering extensive evidence. He had previously sent Ezewiro a picture of stacks of cash, urging him to recruit another player in the scheme. The picture was accompanied by a message stating, “send that to him if he bite he bite if he don’t so be it lol.“

Snowball Effect of Recruiting Players

Ezewiro successfully recruited Da’sean Nelson of DePaul University to participate in the scheme. He confirmed in a message to Smith, “he ready to tap in rn.”

Smith also recruited DePaul forward Micawber Etienne to participate in the scheme. Etienne then recruited Jalen Terry and two other unnamed players. He messaged Smith, “Just talked to them it’s a lock ima call you after practice.”

After the players successfully fixed the first half in a game against Georgetown, Smith praised the new recruits, writing, “l love Jalen terry he perfected his job . . . Sh*t Nelson snapped too.”

Players at small schools were particularly targeted, where athletes were struggling to make a living and secure any Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals.

Smith made contact with Elijah Gray, a player he knew through working in Gray’s home state, North Carolina. He contacted Gray on social media, offering him $10,000 to $15,000 to fix a game when playing for Fordham University. Gray agreed.

They set up a FaceTime call with others in the scheme, and bettors wagered at least $195,000 on Duquesne to cover the spread against Fordham. However, Gray was unable to prevent a Fordham second-half comeback that saw them win the game.

After the game, Gray sent Smith a message saying “I tried,” and noted that the Duquesne players were “not hoopin.” Smith was understanding, as he messaged back saying, “You did your job for sure.“

Smith Paid Players on Campus

Smith was one of the key individuals in the scheme, recruiting players and then traveling to college campuses to deliver cash payments. He traveled to Louisiana to arrange a $32,000 payment to Nicholls State players Oumar Koureissi and Diante Smith. The players had successfully fixed a game against McNeese State.

Smith sent the players a message confirming that the “bread,” or bribe payment, would be delivered by an individual
driving a truck.

In another instance, he arranged for an accomplice to travel to Buffalo to deliver $54,000 in bribe payments to Shawn Fulcher, Isaiah Adams, and another unnamed player.

There are many more examples of evidence against Smith in the 70-page indictment. It is now up to a judge to decide his sentence.

Others alleged to have participated in the scheme may decide to follow Smith’s lead and plead guilty or protest their innocence. Two of the leading orchestrators, Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen, are also named in the NBA betting scandal, along with Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups. They have all pleaded not guilty in that case.