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A sweeping federal indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Wednesday charged 26 individuals in a nationwide college basketball point-shaving and bribery scheme targeting NCAA Division I games and the Chinese Basketball Association.
Three past and present Eastern Michigan University players are named in the government’s list of defendants linked to manipulated contests.
Names and games from the DOJ chart
The Department of Justice’s defendant chart, which is part of the official indictment, lists every person charged, their alleged teams/games tied to the sports betting conspiracy, and the crimes allegedly committed. From that list, three Eastern Michigan-related entries stand out:
- Da’Sean Nelson: DePaul (2/24/24) / Eastern Michigan (11/21/24)
Listed as a defendant charged with bribery in sporting contests and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Nelson is tied to a DePaul game on Feb. 24, 2024, and an Eastern Michigan game on Nov. 21, 2024. - Jalen Terry: DePaul (2/24/24) / Eastern Michigan (11/21/24)
Like Nelson, Terry is charged with bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is associated with the same pair of contests: a DePaul matchup and the Nov. 21, 2024, EMU game. - Carlos Hart: New Orleans (3/11/24)
Though Hart’s entry lists his connection to a University of New Orleans game on March 11, 2024, he is currently on Eastern Michigan’s roster and is charged with bribery in sporting contests and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents, Terry exchanged multiple text messages with an alleged fixer, Jalen Smith, to discuss plans to point-shave. The two allegedly did so in Eastern Michigan’s Nov. 21, 2024 game against Oakland.
Oakland was favored by four points in the first half of that game. Eastern Michigan failed to cover, trailing 38-26 at halftime. Though it did win the game 68-64, Terry did not score in the first half.
Terry and Nelson allegedly fixed another game on Dec. 21, 2024, against Wright State.
Eastern Michigan comment
PlayMichigan reached out to Eastern Michigan for a comment on the situation. The men’s basketball program directed us to a post on X it sent out on Thursday:
“Eastern Michigan University has been made aware of a federal indictment involving two former men’s basketball student-athletes who left the university last year, as well as one current student-athlete.
“The alleged conduct attributed to the current student-athlete in the indictment occurred prior to his enrollment at Eastern Michigan University, while he was attending another institution. Eastern was not aware of any allegations of this nature during the recruitment process. He has been immediately suspended from all team activities at EMU pending the outcome of the case, and the university has initiated its student conduct process as well.
“The conduct described in the indictment stands in direct opposition to the values and expectations of Eastern Michigan University Athletics.”
What the charges mean
Federal prosecutors allege that a network of “fixers” recruited collegiate players from across the country, offering cash in exchange for underperformance to manipulate point spreads. The indictment claims the conspirators placed large bets against teams in which players agreed to alter their play, effectively defrauding operators and other bettors.
While the DOJ’s press release broadly outlined the scope of the scheme, the defendant chart identifies specific contests tied to each player’s alleged conduct.
It formally connects the EMU roster to the broader conspiracy allegations.
EMU’s ongoing scrutiny
Eastern Michigan’s program has been under NCAA compliance review since at least last year. The program has been flagged multiple times for suspicious betting activity.
The school was not accused of any wrongdoing in the investigation.
The appearance of Nelson and Terry, and Hart’s presence on Eastern Michigan’s current roster, mark a significant escalation from earlier NCAA-level concerns to federal allegations involving criminal conduct.
Legal battles and program impact
All three athletes now face serious federal charges including bribery in sporting contests and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They each carry potential prison time if convicted.
Prosecutors view the case as a major threat to collegiate sports integrity. Authorities have signaled ongoing investigation and possible additional charges.
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