Former Michigan State Commit Jalen Terry at Center of Federal Point-Shaving Probe
Jalen Terry, once a highly touted high school prospect out of Flint, Michigan, is now facing serious allegations that could send shockwaves through college basketball. The former Michigan State commit has been named in a sweeping federal investigation into point-shaving and illegal gambling, alongside 38 other current and former college players.
According to the indictment filed on January 14, the alleged scheme spans from 2022 to 2025 and involves players manipulating game outcomes for betting purposes. If the charges hold up, this could become one of the most significant scandals in recent college basketball history - not just because of the volume of players involved, but because of what it could mean for the integrity of the game and the future of legalized sports betting in the college ranks.
A Promising Start That Never Quite Took Off
Terry’s basketball journey began with plenty of promise. Ranked No. 80 nationally in his class and the No. 2 player in Michigan, he was expected to be a key piece for Tom Izzo’s program at Michigan State. But before ever suiting up for the Spartans, he flipped his commitment to Oregon, where his college career officially got underway.
At Oregon, Terry saw limited action. He played in 20 games his freshman season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.1 assists in a reserve role. After that, he entered the transfer portal - a move that sparked curiosity among Michigan State fans about what could’ve been had he stayed the course in East Lansing.
Instead, Terry landed at DePaul, where he carved out a more substantial role. Over three seasons, he became a regular starter and logged heavy minutes.
While his stats never jumped off the page - topping out at 8.5 points and 3.1 assists per game - he was a steady contributor and showed flashes of the playmaking ability that once made him a top-100 recruit. His final year with the Blue Demons was his most efficient, shooting over 45% from beyond the arc.
He used his final year of eligibility to return to his home state, transferring to Eastern Michigan. There, Terry delivered his best statistical season yet: 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. It was a strong finish to a college career that had seen its fair share of ups and downs.
A Career Now Clouded by Controversy
Now, Terry’s on-court resurgence is being overshadowed by the legal storm surrounding him. The federal investigation alleges that he and dozens of others were part of a coordinated effort to influence the outcomes of college basketball games - a violation that cuts at the very heart of the sport’s competitive foundation.
The scope of the indictment - nearly 40 players over a multi-year period - suggests this wasn’t an isolated incident, but rather a systemic issue that could prompt major changes in how the NCAA and schools monitor gambling activity among student-athletes.
As for Terry, the focus now shifts from basketball to the courtroom. While the investigation is ongoing, the implications are already clear: if the allegations are proven true, it would be a devastating blow not just to his career, but to the credibility of college basketball as a whole.
This story is far from over, and the fallout could be massive - not just for the players involved, but for the sport itself.