Several Americans Banned in British Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

Five players have received sweeping international basketball bans after an investigation found they fixed multiple games in the now-defunct British Basketball League.

Four ex-Surrey Scorchers–Charleston Dobbs, Quincy Taylor, Shakem Johnson, and Pediet Wang– are banned for life playing, coaching, or participating in any organized basketball competition worldwide. Josh McFolley, 28, won’t be eligible to return until 2034. 

The penalties follow a far-reaching investigation led by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The investigation launched after multiple reports were filed under the FIBA Integrity Framework and conducted in partnership with the British Basketball Federation (BBF), the Gambling Commission, the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, and other UK gambling regulators.

According to investigators, the match-fixing ring influenced at least six games during the 2022–23 BBL season and was in violation of FIBA’s Code of Conduct and the BBF Anti Corruption Policy.

All five players are American, and several came through U.S. college basketball programs, including Detroit Mercy, Prairie View A&M, and Longwood.

Each of the five players was fined 3,000 pounds ($4,053 U.S.) and issued an original suspension from all basketball activities and participation across Great Britain, according to a joint statement from the BBF and FIBA. Sanctions were issued for both direct match manipulation and failure to report corruption.

All players were given the opportunity to appeal; Taylor and Dobbs turned it down. 

FIBA, as the world governing body, then extended the lifetime suspensions worldwide.

“This case underscores the commitment of FIBA, the BBF, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to maintaining integrity in sport and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward betting-related corruption,” the Gambling Commission said in a statement. 

The BBL folded in June 2024 after effectively going bankrupt. It was soon replaced by the Super League Basketball (SLB), which now serves as the top-tier professional competition in the UK. 

In response to the sanctions, the SLB declined to issue a formal comment, stating: “This relates to a matter which occurred in a different league and the club is not one of our franchises, as such we don’t feel it appropriate for us to comment.”

The punishments aren’t without precedent. Dean Wanliss, who played for the team prior to 2022, was fined and suspended for three years after being caught betting on basketball games between 2019 and 2021.

In their joint statement, FIBA and the BBF reaffirmed their “zero tolerance to betting and corruption in basketball in Great Britain,” promising continued vigilance as the sport rebuilds its professional presence in the UK.