In a significant development for college sports integrity, the NCAA has ruled four former Alabama State University basketball players permanently ineligible due to their involvement in game-fixing activities. The players, including Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines, and Tony Madlock, were found to have accepted payments from gamblers to influence the outcome of a game against Southern Mississippi on December 5, 2024.

Details of the Incident

The NCAA’s investigation revealed that the players were offered a total of $2,000 by two known bettors to ensure a loss against Southern Mississippi, which was favored by six points. The game concluded with Southern Mississippi winning 81-64. This revelation has cast a shadow over Alabama State’s basketball program, particularly as Knox had previously been celebrated for securing the team’s first NCAA Tournament win with a last-second layup against Saint Francis in 2025.

Legal and Institutional Actions

The two gamblers involved in the scheme were indicted earlier this year by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on charges of wire fraud and bribery related to sports contests. The NCAA’s findings came to light after Corey Hines transferred to Temple University, where he was contacted by the FBI and shown text messages related to the game-fixing incident.

None of the implicated players were active on any college basketball team last season, and the NCAA’s decision underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining sports integrity amid external pressures from gambling interests.

Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.