NCAA Bans Four Players Over Game‑Fixing Scandal
The NCAA has permanently ruled ineligible four former Alabama State men’s basketball players after they accepted cash to manipulate a game in December 2024.
Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines and Tony Madlock each received $500 from individuals seeking to sway the outcome of the match against Southern Miss, according to the association’s investigation.
The probe revealed that the bettors reached out to the athletes through a group chat, offering the payments in exchange for on‑court compliance. The scheme was uncovered after the NCAA was alerted by Temple University regarding Hines’s involvement.
While the financial inducement was modest, the penalty was severe: the four athletes are barred from any future collegiate competition, effectively ending their eligibility.
The scandal also cast a shadow over the team’s recent on‑court success. Alabama State, led by Knox as the season’s top scorer, advanced to the 2025 NCAA Tournament and secured its first March Madness victory, with Knox sinking the decisive basket in a play‑in win over Saint Francis.
None of the four banned players will appear in the 2025‑26 season, and the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of how small‑scale betting rings infiltrate college sports.
The indictment of the bettors on charges of wire fraud and bribery underscores the legal ramifications that accompany attempts to corrupt amateur athletics.
The NCAA, Alabama State University and Temple University have all declined further comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.