The NCAA has permanently ruled four former Alabama State players ineligible after determining they accepted money from gamblers to influence the outcome of a game during the 2024-25 season.
Among those sanctioned is Amarr Knox, the hero of Alabama State’s historic first NCAA Tournament victory, along with teammates Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines, and Tony Madlock.
According to the NCAA, the four players accepted a combined $2,000 from gamblers in an effort to manipulate the outcome of the Hornets’ December 5, 2024 matchup against Southern Miss. The NCAA’s investigation concluded that the players knowingly participated in the scheme, resulting in one of the organization’s most severe penalties: permanent loss of eligibility.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through college basketball, particularly given Knox’s role in Alabama State’s memorable First Four victory during the 2025 NCAA Tournament—the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
The case is also tied to a broader federal sports gambling investigation. Two alleged bettors connected to the scheme have reportedly been charged with wire fraud and bribery-related offenses.
The NCAA has continued to crack down on gambling-related violations as legalized sports betting expands across the United States, making this one of the most significant enforcement actions involving game-fixing in recent years.
