College Hoops Coaches Bribed: Evans, Richardson, Bland Face Justice

NEW YORK, NY – The dirty underbelly of college basketball was exposed again this week as three former Division I men’s basketball coaches received sentences for their roles in a wide-ranging bribery scheme. LAMONT EVANS, formerly of the University of South Carolina and Oklahoma State University, and EMANUEL RICHARDSON, formerly of the University of Arizona, each received three months in federal prison. ANTHONY BLAND, a former assistant at the University of Southern California, received a sentence of probation.

The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos in Manhattan federal court, mark the latest fallout from a federal investigation into the corrupting influence of money in college basketball. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman minced no words: “Anthony Bland, Emanuel Richardson, and Lamont Evans, all former men’s basketball coaches at NCAA Division I universities, abused their positions as mentors and coaches for personal gain.”

Prosecutors detailed how the coaches accepted cash bribes – totaling approximately $22,000 for EVANS and $20,000 for RICHARDSON – from athlete advisors and financial managers. The scheme, which began in 2016 and continued until the coaches’ arrests in September 2017, involved promises to steer promising student-athletes towards the bribe-payers once they reached the NBA. The goal? Securing lucrative management contracts for the advisors.

The investigation revealed a cynical manipulation of the coach-player relationship. EVANS, in a recorded conversation, chillingly described his recruits as “personal kids,” exploiting the trust parents placed in him to funnel business to the bribe-payers. He openly discussed how the arrangement was “generating more wealth” for all involved, a callous disregard for the integrity of the game and the athletes themselves. He attempted to pressure players at OSU and relatives of players at South Carolina into using the services of the bribe payers.

RICHARDSON, similarly, accepted bribes with the understanding that he would influence his players’ choices of financial representation. The evidence presented showed a deliberate effort to bypass NCAA regulations and prioritize personal enrichment over ethical conduct. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have been aggressively pursuing these cases, signaling a commitment to cleaning up the sport – or at least punishing those caught exploiting it.

While the sentences may seem lenient to some, Berman stated they “send a strong message that bribery in the world of college basketball is a crime, and that those who participate in such crimes will be held accountable for their corrupt actions.” This case serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of victory and profit in college sports can come at a steep price, and that even those in positions of authority are not above the law. The investigation is ongoing, and more indictments are expected.