From five-star to federal case: How Antonio Blakeney's career veered off course
Antonio Blakeney was supposed to be the next great scorer to emerge from the SEC. A McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit who arrived at LSU with immense fanfare, Blakeney possessed the kind of "walking bucket" mentality that usually guarantees a lucrative, decade-long professional career. He had a legitimate stint with the Chicago Bulls, appearing in 76 games between 2017 and 2019 and earning G-League Rookie of the Year honors. But the headline dominating the basketball world this week isn't about a redemption arc; it is about a federal indictment that likely marks the catastrophic end of his playing days.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors in Philadelphia unsealed charges identifying Blakeney as a central figure in a transnational point-shaving scheme. The allegations are staggering in their scope. Authorities claim the 29-year-old didn't just participate in fixing games during his tenure in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA); he allegedly acted as a recruiter, enticing NCAA athletes to join the conspiracy. The "federal case" detailed in court documents paints Blakeney not merely as a participant, but as an orchestrator who allegedly accepted up to $200,000 to intentionally underperform—missing shots and committing turnovers to manipulate betting lines.
The trajectory of his fall is heartbreaking. After fading from the NBA radar in 2019, Blakeney found a lucrative lifeline overseas. In China, he was a statistical juggernaut, leading the league in scoring and rebuilding his value. Yet, according to the Department of Justice, this is where the corruption took root. Instead of using the CBA as a springboard back to the NBA, prosecutors allege Blakeney used it to facilitate wire fraud and bribery.
The indictment alleges Blakeney leveraged his status to influence younger, vulnerable college players, a betrayal of the basketball fraternity that makes this case particularly ugly. The transition from an NBA prospect to a defendant facing serious federal charges is a grim reminder of the perils lurking in the unregulated corners of international sports. Blakeney’s career, once defined by his elite scoring ability, is now defined by a federal docket number. For a player who spent his life trying to beat the odds, the house has finally won.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors in Philadelphia unsealed charges identifying Blakeney as a central figure in a transnational point-shaving scheme. The allegations are staggering in their scope. Authorities claim the 29-year-old didn't just participate in fixing games during his tenure in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA); he allegedly acted as a recruiter, enticing NCAA athletes to join the conspiracy. The "federal case" detailed in court documents paints Blakeney not merely as a participant, but as an orchestrator who allegedly accepted up to $200,000 to intentionally underperform—missing shots and committing turnovers to manipulate betting lines.
The trajectory of his fall is heartbreaking. After fading from the NBA radar in 2019, Blakeney found a lucrative lifeline overseas. In China, he was a statistical juggernaut, leading the league in scoring and rebuilding his value. Yet, according to the Department of Justice, this is where the corruption took root. Instead of using the CBA as a springboard back to the NBA, prosecutors allege Blakeney used it to facilitate wire fraud and bribery.
The indictment alleges Blakeney leveraged his status to influence younger, vulnerable college players, a betrayal of the basketball fraternity that makes this case particularly ugly. The transition from an NBA prospect to a defendant facing serious federal charges is a grim reminder of the perils lurking in the unregulated corners of international sports. Blakeney’s career, once defined by his elite scoring ability, is now defined by a federal docket number. For a player who spent his life trying to beat the odds, the house has finally won.
