LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn welcomed former Arizona State basketball star Stevin "Hedake" Smith to campus Friday morning for a compelling and sobering presentation on the devastating consequences of sports gambling and point-shaving. Smith, whose promising professional basketball career was cut short by his involvement in one of college basketball's most notorious scandals, shared his deeply personal story with Alcorn student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff.
 
The presentation, held in the Brian K. Johnson Auditorium, drew more than 150 attendees, including members of several Alcorn athletic teams, coaching staff, athletics administrators, and select university leadership.
 
The presentation was coordinated by Alcorn's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) under the direction of Dr. Jivanna Smith and Angel Brooks-Thomas.
 
Stevin Smith's story serves as one of the most powerful cautionary tales in sports history. Once a standout guard for Arizona State during the 1993-94 season, Smith averaged 18.1 points per game and was destined for a career in the professional ranks. His athleticism, court vision, and scoring ability had NBA scouts taking notice, and his future appeared limitless. However, Smith's promising trajectory took a devastating turn when he became involved in a point-shaving scheme. Between 1993 and 1994, Smith accepted money to manipulate the final scores of several Sun Devils Men's Basketball games. For these actions, Smith received approximately $20,000, a sum that would ultimately cost him millions in potential NBA earnings and, more importantly, his reputation and freedom.
 
During his presentation at Alcorn, Smith spoke with raw honesty about the circumstances that led to his involvement in the scandal. He described the initial approach, the rationalization process that allowed him to justify his actions, and the false sense of security that came from believing he wouldn't get caught. Smith emphasized that he was not coerced or threatened into participation but rather made a conscious choice driven by financial temptation and poor judgment.
 
"I want every athlete in this room to understand something clearly," Smith told the assembled audience. "When that first opportunity to compromise your integrity comes, and it will come, you have a choice to make. I made the wrong choice, and it has defined my life in ways I never could have imagined. The money I received was gone quickly. The consequences have lasted decades."
 
Smith detailed how the scheme eventually unraveled, leading to a federal investigation that exposed the full extent of the corruption. In 1997, Smith was indicted on sports bribery charges. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of probation. He also served approximately three months in prison before being released.
 
"Prison was difficult, but in some ways, it was the best part of the punishment," Smith reflected. "The prison sentence had an end date. The disappointment in people's eyes, the judgment from former teammates and coaches, the knowledge that I let down everyone who believed in me, the opportunities lost forever – those are life sentences. Those are the things that wake you up at night twenty-five years later."
 
Another portion of Smith's presentation focused on the dramatically changed landscape of sports gambling in America. He warned the Braves student-athletes that this legalization and normalization of sports gambling has created an environment where temptation is more prevalent and sophisticated than ever before.
 
"You all have access to information that the average bettor doesn't have," Smith explained. "You know who's injured, who's having personal problems, who's struggling in practice, whose head isn't in the game. That information is valuable, and people will try to get it from you. They'll befriend you, offer you money, make it seem harmless. Some of you might even be approached to manipulate your own performance or share inside information. When that happens – not if, but when – I need you to remember my story."
 
While much of Smith's presentation focused on the negative consequences of his actions, he also shared his journey toward personal transformation and redemption. After serving his sentence, Smith worked to rebuild his life, taking various jobs including coaching youth basketball and working as a motivational speaker. He spoke about the long process of self-forgiveness and the importance of using his mistakes to help others avoid similar pitfalls.
 
"I can't change my past, but I can try to ensure that my mistakes serve a purpose," Smith told the audience. "If even one person in this room makes a different choice because of hearing my story, then something good has come from my bad decisions. That's what drives me to keep sharing this story, even though it's painful every single time."
 
Smith discussed the importance of surrounding oneself with people of integrity, maintaining strong connections with family and faith, and developing a clear sense of personal values before facing difficult decisions. He emphasized that the best time to decide how you'll respond to temptation is before the temptation arrives, not in the moment when pressure and emotion cloud judgment.
 
"I want you all to do something for me right now," Smith challenged the student-athletes. "Close your eyes and imagine your future. See yourself graduating, playing professionally if that's your dream, building a career, starting a family. Picture the people you love being proud of you. Now imagine throwing all of that away for $20,000, $10,000, even $50,000. That's the choice I made, and I promise you, no amount of money is worth losing everything you've worked for."
 
About Stevin "Hedake" Smith
Stevin Smith is a former Arizona State University basketball player who became involved in a point-shaving scandal during the 1993-94 season. After serving time in federal prison and facing lifetime consequences for his actions, Smith has dedicated himself to educating student-athletes about the dangers of sports gambling and the importance of integrity. He travels nationally to speak at universities and athletic programs, sharing his story as a cautionary tale and helping young athletes avoid the mistakes that cost him his career and reputation.
 
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