Overview
- Smith entered his guilty plea in federal court in Philadelphia on March 9 and remains free on bail until sentencing.
- Prosecutors say the Charlotte-based trainer recruited players to underperform in 2023–25, delivered cash bribes, and sent directives such as "Lose by 6" while bets were placed against their teams.
- He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated firearms offense after agents found a handgun during a search connected to the gambling probe.
- The January charges span roughly 20 players and six fixers and allege at least 29 Division I games were targeted, yielding illicit winnings in the millions.
- Prosecutors describe Smith as one of several organizers, noting the scheme’s template began with bribing a pro in China before expanding to NCAA games, while multiple co-defendants have pleaded not guilty and await trial.