NCAA bans four former Alabama State players over match-fixing scandal

Four former Alabama State basketball players have been permanently banned by the NCAA for accepting payments from gamblers to fix a game against Southern Miss in December 2024.

The governing body announced on Friday that Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines, and Tony Madlock deliberately manipulated the outcome of their 81-64 collegiate defeat.

Southern Miss entered the contest as six-point favourites before the corrupt agreement took place.

According to investigators, two known bettors offered the group a combined total of $2,000 to intentionally lose the match.

First Four hero implicated in scandal

Knox, Hines, and Madlock were the top three scorers for the Hornets during the 2024-25 season, while Fulcher operated as a rotational reserve.

The former leading scorer had previously cemented his place in the university’s history by hitting a last-second layup to secure their maiden NCAA tournament victory over Saint Francis.

None of the disgraced athletes were active on any collegiate roster during the most recent sporting calendar.

FBI investigation uncovers corruption

The illicit scheme was uncovered after Hines transferred to Temple University, prompting the school to immediately alert enforcement staff.

Temple officials confirmed that the former guard had been interviewed by the FBI and confronted with incriminating text messages regarding his time at his previous programme.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted the two bettors in January on wire fraud and bribery charges connected to the sporting integrity violations.