Kennesaw State coach Antoine Pettway delivered a pointed message as college basketball grapples with a point-shaving scheme tied to sports betting, condemning the people he said are exploiting players.
Pettway made clear he was not offering a pass to any player who took bribes. At the same time, he said his greater frustration is aimed at the ringleaders behind the alleged scheme, describing them as “predators.”
The comments underscore the tension facing the sport as betting-related scrutiny increases, with coaches and programs navigating the fallout when athletes are approached or pressured to influence outcomes.
Accountability and exploitation
Pettway’s remarks drew a line between personal responsibility and what he characterized as deliberate targeting of college players by outside actors. While he emphasized accountability for anyone who accepted money, he focused his strongest criticism on those he said orchestrate and profit from such efforts.
The situation places renewed attention on the vulnerability of athletes to improper contact and the broader challenges programs face in protecting players while reinforcing standards of conduct.