Two former Nicholls State men’s basketball players were named in a federal point-shaving investigation announced Wednesday, part of a wider case involving multiple Division I programs.

Nicholls State University Athletic Department released the following statement to The Nicholls Worth:

“Nicholls State University was made aware of the alleged bribery and point-shaving indictments brought forward today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in which Nicholls State University’s name appears. No current Nicholls student-athletes have been named in the case, but two former student-athletes who are no longer enrolled at the university are named.

Nicholls State University is strongly against any acts that go against our values and expectations. The Nicholls Athletics Department continues to provide gambling awareness education to student-athletes and does not tolerate participation in illegal gambling activities.”

According to Fox8, former Nicholls State player Omar Koureissi is charged in a scheme related to a Feb. 17, 2024, game against McNeese State in which Nicholls failed to cover the point spread. Another former player, Diante Smith, is mentioned in the case but not listed as a defendant in this indictment.

According to ESPN, more than 39 players across 17 Division I programs have been implicated in the investigation. United States Attorney David Metcalf announced charges against 26 people so far.