Steven Hedake Smith is the name basketball fans have been searching for ever since Netflix released its Bad Sports sports scandal documentary. In a limited documentary series, the first episode focuses on the frauds of bookmakers and college basketball players. One of them is Steve Hedake Smith. The entire episode focuses on the youngster’s scoring ability and dominance and where he could have ended up in the NBA. Added to this are his exceptional performances in competitions where points were lost.
The first episode is called “Hoop Schemes” and tells the story of how Stevin Smith ruined his career after engaging in a points scandal. According to this episode, Stevin was easily one of the best college point guards. He went to Arizona State University and was able to register as the top scorer until the scandal affected his entire career.
Why was Steven Hedake Smith banned?
I knew college basketball wasn’t doing well in the late 90s. Stevin Hedake Smith and teammate Isaac Burton continually dated bookie Joseph Gagliano. After winning $20,000 multiple times. However, after losing over a million dollars in the last game where NBA scouts were present to evaluate Hedake’s talent, he was passed over in the 1994 NBA draft.
The FBI suspects that Burton and Hedake used their money to purchase assets such as cars, diamonds, shoes, clothing and watches. Last match bets led to bookmaker Joseph Gagliano Loss of more than 8 million dollars. Finally, after two months, when the case seemed closed, the FBI called Joseph and confronted him with the fact that he was the main suspect (by following him in his transactions at the sports betting counter). After the capture of Joseph Gagliano, Isaac Burton and Steven Hedake Smith were next in line.
For this heinous crime, Stevin Hedake Smith was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of probation. Isaac Burton was also identified by authorities as being involved in the scandal and served two months in prison. Added to this are six months of house arrest and three years of probation.
Did Steven Hedake Smith play in the NBA?
After being involved in the points deduction scandal, the star dreams ASU were arrested because he was never able to play in the NBA again after that. How humiliating it is to see such talent never reach its rightful place. Since admitting to ruining his career, he has worked since 2005 with the non-profit organization NOW to help underprivileged children and constantly teaches young children to avoid gambling and betting.