Arkansas man admits guilt in NCAA basketball point-shaving ring

Rodrick Winkler, a 32-year-old man from Arkansas, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Philadelphia on Monday. He accepted charges of bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. The court filings detail his role in manipulating NCAA Division I basketball games between September 2022 and February 2025.

Winkler acted as a recruiter and briber, known as a fixer, in a network that targeted college players. He offered payments to athletes to underperform and ensure their teams failed to cover betting spreads. Court documents state the scheme involved 39 players across 17 teams who fixed or attempted to fix 29 games.

The manipulation generated over $3 million in fraudulent wagers. Sportsbooks nationwide reported financial losses exceeding $1.1 million. Winkler and other fixers typically paid players between $10,000 and $30,000 per game. The group had previously used similar tactics to fix games in the Chinese Basketball Association before shifting focus to the NCAA.

The guilty plea follows a January indictment that named 26 individuals. More than a dozen college basketball players were among the accused for their attempts to fix games.

Winkler is scheduled for sentencing on February 8. He faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine.