Banned NCAA Player Involved in Point-Shaving Scheme at Abilene Christian
A former Abilene Christian men’s basketball player has been permanently banned by the NCAA for his involvement in a point-shaving scheme. Airion Simmons, who played for Abilene Christian from 2019 to 2024, colluded with a teammate and bettors to throw a game for money. This scheme involved players purposely underperforming in games to benefit the bettors who recruited them. Simmons and the bettors were indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and conspiracy in January. Another player reported the violations, stating that Simmons and a teammate tried to convince him to join them in losing a game for money. Simmons received $3,500 to play poorly in the game and left with a hand injury after 11 minutes of play. He met someone in a Dallas parking lot to receive cash for throwing the game. Simmons declined to participate in the processing of the case, becoming the latest athlete to lose eligibility due to the point-shaving scheme.