Remove ads by Supporting Independent News
Written by: A. Smith
Published January 16, 2026 @ 9:01 AM ET
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Kennesaw State University has indefinitely suspended its leading scorer after federal prosecutors charged two current and former Owls players in a wide-ranging college basketball game-fixing investigation tied to illegal sports betting.
The university confirmed that Simeon Cottle, a current student-athlete and Kennesaw State’s top scorer during the 2024–25 season, has been suspended from all team activities following his inclusion in a federal indictment. Former Kennesaw State player Demond Robinson is also charged in the case. The school said it will not comment further while the matter is pending.
Federal prosecutors allege Cottle and Robinson participated in a points-shaving scheme during the 2023–24 season, agreeing to intentionally underperform in a game in exchange for bribes connected to sports wagering. Both men face charges of bribery in sporting contests and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Bench warrants were issued this week. Prosecutors stressed that the allegations do not involve any games from the current season and that all defendants are presumed innocent.
According to court records, investigators are focused on Kennesaw State’s March 1, 2024, game against Queens University of Charlotte. Sportsbooks had set a narrow first-half point spread favoring Queens. Prosecutors allege that approximately $20,000 was wagered on Queens to cover the first-half spread and that players involved manipulated play to ensure that outcome. Queens led by 13 points at halftime before Kennesaw State mounted a second-half rally but ultimately lost the game.
The indictment claims Cottle communicated with alleged organizers of the scheme on the day of the game and received messages referencing large amounts of cash tied to betting activity. Days later, prosecutors say arrangements were made to pay both Cottle and Robinson for their participation. Investigators also allege that Cottle later attempted to recruit additional teammates into the scheme, though those efforts were unsuccessful.
The case is part of a broader federal investigation announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that has resulted in charges against 26 people in what authorities describe as an international sports betting conspiracy. Prosecutors say the scheme targeted NCAA men’s basketball games as well as contests in China’s professional basketball league. Investigators allege more than 39 players across at least 17 Division I programs were approached.
The NCAA said the indictment underscores growing concerns about the impact of legalized sports betting on college athletics. NCAA President Charlie Baker said the association has active or completed integrity investigations involving nearly all teams named in the federal case. He said the NCAA has opened betting-related investigations into about 40 student-athletes over the past year, with multiple athletes already permanently losing their eligibility.
Kennesaw State has not indicated whether further disciplinary action may follow pending the outcome of the federal case.