Editor\u2019s note: The video above is from previous coverage. <\/p>\n
KENNESAW, Ga. (Atlanta News First) \u2014 A Kennesaw State University (KSU) basketball player is among at least two dozen people facing federal charges in an alleged betting scheme to rig college basketball games.<\/p>\n
Federal prosecutors said players were bribed to fix games by purposely underperforming. <\/p>\n
KSU students said they were surprised by the news.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they were trolling. I thought it was a joke,\u201d said student Benjamin Karanja.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like Kennesaw is not that big of a school. For someone to do like a scheme from Kennesaw is kind of crazy,\u201d said Jacob Fasone, another student.<\/p>\n
Kennesaw State guard Simeon Cottle and former Kennesaw State forward Demond Robinson are among those listed in the federal indictment.<\/p>\n
Court documents state fixers reached out to Cottle with an offer to manipulate the 2024 matchup against Queens University.<\/p>\n
Cottle allegedly recruited Robinson and another unnamed player.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt undermines the integrity of the game,\u201d said Karanja. \u201cYou\u2019re not giving the game what you\u2019re supposed to give it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fixers placed and won over $20,000 in bets.<\/p>\n
Documents state Cottle received about $40,000 in cash on campus to be shared with the players.<\/p>\n
Although students said the players\u2019 alleged actions are wrong, some said they understand the appeal.<\/p>\n