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.
The San Antonio Spurs are targeting a swift NBA Finals comeback against the New York Knicks following a disappointing Game 1 defeat.
Victor Wembanyama struggled during the 105-95 loss, recording playoff career highs in both turnovers and missed shots.
The 22-year-old subsequently received a blunt text message from Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich.
“It was that I’ve been bad, and I’m better than this.”
Victor Wembanyama
However, the French phenom revealed he is not worried about his team’s ability to recover from the setback.
Overcoming early adversity
The Texas franchise has experienced a dramatic rise to reach their first championship series since 2014.
This current roster endured a gruelling 102-game journey, forging a resilience that players believe will prove crucial.
“We know we’re not here by chance.”
Victor Wembanyama
The former number one draft pick added that overcoming bizarre situations throughout the year has cemented the squad’s mental toughness.
A turbulent path to the championship
Reaching the 2026 Finals appeared highly unlikely after a 34-win campaign the previous year.
The towering center had missed the final 36 games of that season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Pre-season preparations were then further hampered by ill-timed injuries to key personnel.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper required thumb surgery just weeks before training camp, while trade acquisition De’Aaron Fox battled a severe hamstring strain.
Despite these early hurdles, general manager Brian Wright maintained his absolute faith in the remodelled roster.
Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie record by hitting eight three-pointers during an 87-84 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday.
The number two overall draft pick connected on eight of her 11 attempts from beyond the arc to finish with a season-high 28 points.
She also contributed seven assists and four rebounds as the league-leading Lynx improved their early-season record to 8-2.
The remarkable shooting display eclipsed the previous rookie benchmark of seven triples, which was shared by Indiana Fever star Clark and former New York Liberty guard Crystal Robinson.
Unexpected shooting clinic
Prior to Thursday’s historic performance, the 2025 draftee had struggled from distance, converting just two of her previous 18 attempts this season.
Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve admitted the sudden barrage of long-range scoring was entirely unexpected.
“It was not on our bingo card, but we’ll take it,” Reeve joked after the game.
The veteran manager noted that the coaching staff had been actively encouraging their young playmaker to shoot with more confidence in recent outings.
A history of long-range success
While surprising to some professional observers, the prolific scoring output mirrors the young guard’s impressive collegiate career.
The highly-rated prospect previously drained 10 three-pointers in a single game for TCU against Baylor, having also hit eight in a match during her time at Notre Dame.
Her seamless transition to the professional ranks is evident in her overall offensive production, averaging 17 points and over six assists per game.
The dynamic playmaker has already scored or assisted on 317 points through her first 10 professional appearances.
This remarkable tally places her second in WNBA history for offensive production across a player’s first 10 matches, trailing only Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers.
“It’s a lot of inner work to go and believe in yourself and constantly remind yourself that you deserve to be where you’re at,” the rookie explained regarding her early success.
Her franchise-record-tying performance matched the mark set by team-mate Kayla McBride, further cementing her vital role in Minnesota’s championship aspirations.
Caitlin Clark overcame a bout of half-time sickness to record 17 points and eight assists as the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 83-71 in their Commissioner’s Cup opener in Indianapolis.
The talismanic guard vomited in the locker room at the interval but returned to help snap a two-game losing streak for the hosts.
It capped a tumultuous six-day period for the reigning Cup champions, following a recent heated sideline exchange between the star playmaker and head coach Stephanie White.
Defensive improvements follow crisis talks
A heavy 100-84 defeat by the Portland Fire on Monday had prompted a candid team meeting to address ongoing locker-room frustrations.
Those clear-the-air discussions yielded immediate defensive results against a struggling Atlanta side.
Entering the contest ranked 13th in the league for defensive scoring, the Indiana outfit restricted their opponents to a mere 29 points in the first half.
“We hit first, we were the aggressor, and our grit and toughness was as good as it’s been all year long,”
said coach White.
Mitchell reaches milestone amid fierce rivalry
While the highly-anticipated fixture renewed a fierce rivalry with Dream center Angel Reese, backcourt partner Kelsey Mitchell delivered a game-high 25 points.
The impressive scoring display pushed the veteran guard past the 5,000 career points milestone.
“When you have hard conversations as a group, you pour into one another,”
Mitchell explained regarding the recent internal shift.
“Talent gets us there, but team camaraderie and just being honest about where we are as a group keeps us there.”
Playing through the pain
Despite Mitchell’s scoring heroics, it was the physical resilience of the league’s standout attraction that dominated post-match discussions.
Addressing the media with a towel draped over her shoulders, the home point guard admitted her voice was gravelly from the sudden illness.
“I haven’t puked that much in a really long time, but then I felt fine,”
she revealed.
“I felt light, so I was running around feeling good in the second half.”
President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from owner James Dolan to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs next week.
The sitting US President confirmed on Thursday that he will travel to Madison Square Garden for the highly anticipated Monday night clash.
He also suggested the possibility of remaining in Manhattan for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series.
“The answer is yes, [Dolan] has invited me and I’m going,” Trump said.
“It could be Monday, maybe I’ll do both.”
Knicks chase historic championship
The New York franchise currently holds a 1-0 series advantage after securing a 14-point comeback victory in Wednesday’s opening match-up.
That triumph marked a 12th consecutive play-off win for a side making their first Finals appearance since 1999.
Trump praised the Eastern Conference champions, acknowledging Dolan’s significant efforts in assembling a title-contending roster.
He also expressed admiration for San Antonio’s standout French centre Victor Wembanyama, who featured prominently in the series opener.
“He’s going to be a great player. He’s already a great player. I said, ‘How do you guard this guy?’ He’s 7-foot-5 and has a great shot,” the President remarked.
Security heightened for presidential visit
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver publicly welcomed the impending visit, noting the unparalleled enthusiasm currently gripping New York City.
The upcoming appearance will be the first by a sitting president at a Finals game during Silver’s tenure, which began a decade ago.
Speaking at a community event in Texas, the commissioner recalled the 78-year-old’s long-standing fandom and past attendance at league drafts.
“President Trump is very much a New Yorker,” Silver stated.
“I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team.”
The league will implement additional layers of security at the iconic arena to accommodate the high-profile guest.
Silver expects supporters to be understanding of the logistical changes, believing the visit only amplifies the magnitude of the occasion.
“Sports, in particular, is something where we can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart,” Silver added.
A fan interrupted the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener in San Antonio to attempt a selfie with Victor Wembanyama before the New York Knicks secured a 105-95 victory over the Spurs.
The incident occurred with just under six and a half minutes remaining while the visiting side held a narrow 92-86 advantage.
A male spectator rushed onto the Frost Bank Center hardwood with a mobile phone in hand, stopping abruptly in front of the towering French center and Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson.
Security personnel quickly intervened, shoving the intruder away before he could capture the photograph.
Bewilderment on the hardwood
Replays of the bizarre sequence showed the Spurs’ focal point looking bewildered but smiling toward the device.
“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said.
“I didn’t know how to act. It really surprised me, almost as much as that time a bat crossed the court.”
The disruption caused further delays as officials struggled to determine possession following a loose ball involving San Antonio guard Dylan Harper and New York forward Mikal Bridges.
Spurs fall short in series opener
Ultimately, a jump ball was called at center court, which the home side won to resume proceedings.
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson downplayed the severity of the intrusion, praising the swift response of the arena staff.
“I don’t think it was an event at all,” Johnson noted. “I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play.”
Despite the unusual distraction, the former number one overall draft pick remained heavily self-critical regarding his performance in the championship series.
Strict penalties await court invaders
“I was bad tonight,” he admitted after registering 26 points on inefficient shooting, alongside 12 rebounds and six turnovers. “It’s not more complicated than that.”
The Knicks now take an early lead in the best-of-seven series, looking to capitalise on their momentum as the matchup continues.
Meanwhile, spectators breaching the playing surface during NBA fixtures face severe consequences, including mandatory ejection and potential lifetime bans from arena events.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the individual involved in Wednesday’s altercation will face criminal charges.
The New York Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson scored 30 points to guide the Eastern Conference champions to their 12th consecutive playoff victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17 points for the visitors.
Victor Wembanyama registered 26 points and 12 rebounds for the hosts but struggled offensively, shooting just six of 21 from the field in his finals debut.
Knicks make history with comeback
The Texas franchise took a 55-48 lead into the half-time break and extended their advantage to 14 points midway through the third quarter.
However, the visitors stormed back with a 22-9 run to level the score at 76-76 heading into the final period.
Wembanyama gave the home side a 95-94 advantage with two minutes remaining, but Brunson responded with a crucial three-pointer to put New York ahead for good.
The New York outfit closed out the contest on an 11-0 run, becoming the seventh side in NBA history to win 12 successive postseason games.
Spurs surrender perfect Game 1 record
The defeat marks the first time San Antonio have ever lost a Game 1 in the title series, having boasted a flawless 6-0 record prior to Wednesday’s encounter.
It is also the first time the five-time NBA champions have trailed in a finals series before its conclusion.
San Antonio’s record of never trailing in a finals series had previously survived close calls against New Jersey in 2003, Detroit in 2005, and Miami in both 2013 and 2014.
Rookie Stephon Castle scored 17 points for the Spurs, with Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper both adding 16.
Former San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich watched from a suite, joined by franchise legends including David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
Game 2 takes place in Texas on Friday.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has urged an independent law firm to swiftly conclude its investigation into the LA Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention involving star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio, the league’s top executive confirmed the lengthy probe is drawing to a close.
The inquiry, managed independently by legal firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, began last September.
Focus on endorsement deals
Investigators are examining whether the Western Conference franchise bypassed financial regulations by funnelling money to Leonard.
This centres around the two-time NBA champion’s $28m endorsement agreement with green banking company Aspiration.
The now-bankrupt firm also held a massive $300m sponsorship contract with the basketball team.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who personally invested heavily in Aspiration, has consistently denied any knowledge or orchestration of the player’s individual deal.
Recent legal developments
The corporate saga took a dramatic turn on Monday when Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wire fraud.
Despite the heightened public scrutiny following this conviction, Silver insists his final judgement will remain strictly evidence-based.
“My job is to follow the facts, and what essentially happens here is that findings will be made by this independent firm.”
The commissioner added that the franchise and the rest of the league urgently need clarity on the situation.
“Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”
Tackling lottery tanking
Alongside the ongoing disciplinary review, the league has also addressed controversial team-building strategies.
The NBA’s Board of Governors recently passed proposed reforms to the draft lottery system designed to curb deliberate losing.
Silver expressed surprise at how rapidly ‘tanking’ had become widely accepted behaviour across the sport.