NC A&T player charged in national scheme to fix college games

Federal prosecutors unsealed a sweeping indictment on Jan. 16 charging two dozen people in an alleged betting scheme that targeted college basketball games in the United States and professional games in China. The case named Camian Shell, a Winston-Salem native who played for North Carolina A&T State University from 2023 to 2025, among the defendants.

Prosecutors said the alleged scheme began in September 2022 and involved recruiters and so-called fixers who approached players and others, paid bribes and coordinated bets tied to manipulated game outcomes, including final scores. Court documents cited in the indictment allege the conspiracy touched at least 29 games. Shell faces charges including bribery, wire fraud and related conspiracy counts.

For Guilford County, where NC A&T is based in Greensboro, the indictment raises immediate concerns about how outside gambling networks may exploit student-athletes and the ripple effects on campus and community trust. NC A&T told investigators it was aware of the indictment and the university has not been alleged to have been involved in violations concerning Shell or any other student-athlete. The school also noted that NCAA enforcement staff was not seeking penalties against the institution related to the indictment.

Federal authorities said the investigation spans multiple teams and institutions, and additional defendants and details remain part of the ongoing federal case. That breadth underscores systemic vulnerabilities in college sports that extend beyond any single program. Local fans and families who follow Aggies athletics may feel betrayed or anxious as federal prosecutors pursue criminal charges while universities and the NCAA evaluate competitive and compliance consequences.

Public health and social equity concerns are central to the local impact. Betting schemes that recruit college athletes often exploit financial pressures and uneven access to resources that disproportionately affect Black and low-income players. Beyond legal consequences, implicated students face potential damage to future employment, educational opportunities and mental health. Gambling-related financial harm can drive stress, housing instability and strained family relationships that community services must increasingly address.

For Guilford County policymakers and campus leaders, the indictment points to prevention priorities: stronger education for athletes about illicit recruiting tactics, expanded financial counseling and mental health support, and clearer reporting pathways for players who are approached by outside parties. Community advocates say transparency and targeted supports will be essential to prevent similar exploitation and to repair trust.

As the federal case moves forward, Guilford County residents can expect additional charges or institutional responses. What comes next matters for the young people who play for local colleges and for the fans and neighborhoods that rally around them. Local leaders and campuses will need to combine criminal accountability with public health strategies that protect student-athletes and address the broader harms tied to illegal betting.