The Stevin “Hedake” Smith Redemption: He Shaved Points for Cash, Now He’s the NCAA’s Warning

Hedake's legacy is inextricably linked to the scandal that prematurely ended his basketball journey.

October 20, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on October 14, 2026

Stevin “Hedake” Smith, a former American professional basketball player, was involved in the 1994 Arizona State point-shaving scandal.

He used to bet on his own games that he was fixing, and was arrested in 1997.

Hedake was arrested in 1999 for his role in a point-shaving scandal.

He was a standout point guard for Arizona State University from 1991 to 1994, earning All-Pac-10 honors twice and setting the school’s career record for three-point shots.

However, he and teammate Isaac Burton conspired to fix the outcomes of games for gambling purposes.

Hedake admitted to accepting $20,000 to shave points in a game against Oregon State on January 28, 1994, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in 1999.

He confessed to taking bribes to influence the point spread in four games during the 1994 season. As a result, the former college star was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison.

It’s a dangerous road for all these leagues. You just never know who’s in on the fix. Could be a player. A coach. A ref. People just don’t understand. And now that there are loose laws and teams moving to Las Vegas, man, it’s like open season.

A Second Chance: Stevin “Hedake” Smith’s Pro Basketball Comeback

After leaving college in 1994, Stevin “Hedake” Smith failed to make the NBA and took his game overseas. He was selected to the All-CBA Second Team in 1997.

He played for various teams, including those from Spain, the Philippines, Turkey, and France.

During the 1997 NBA season, Hedake signed two consecutive 10-day contracts with the Dallas Mavericks. He played over eight games, scoring 14 points for a 1.8 per-game average.

Unfortunately, he was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiring to fix the outcomes of games for gambling purposes.

I accept that I’d ruined my future for less cash than I would have made my first week in the NBA.

After his release from prison in 2000, Hedake didn’t give up on his dream of playing professional basketball. He immediately returned to the sport in Europe.

His comeback tour was a global one. He played for three different teams in France from 2001 to 2003 and took his talents to the Israeli League in 2004.

Moreover, Hedake played a two-season stint with the prestigious Dynamo Moscow club in Russia. He wrapped up his professional journey in the 2006-07 season with Legea Scafati in Italy’s top league.

Stevin “Hedake” Smith’s New Playbook: Mentorship and Education

After his basketball career, Stevin “Hedake” Smith dedicated his life to guiding others, focused on mentorship and the dangers of gambling.

He has been a pillar of his community in Dallas through his work with the N.O.W. (No Opportunity Wasted) Program since 2005.

We were honored to have Stevin “Hedake” Smith on campus to speak with our student-athletes.
He shared his powerful story on how gambling affected him as a student-athlete.
Thank you Mr. Smith!

— Little Rock Trojans (@LRTrojans)

Hedake serves as a vice president of N.O.W., a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and supporting underprivileged youth.

He leveraged the hard lessons from his past and now works as a gambling harm awareness education provider for EPIC Global Solutions.

He travels to colleges to speak with student-athletes about the perils of gambling at the invitation of the NCAA.

I want to reach out to the next generation, get in their heads. It’s so easy to get caught up in greed for what kids think might be easy money.

Furthermore, inspires readers to believe in second chances and the transformative power of resilience.

He has also stayed close to the game, having worked as an assistant coach at Mountain View Community College. He is a U.S. sports advisor with EPIC.

Away from the court, and continues his impactful work from his home in Dallas.

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • Stevin L. “Hedake” Smith, the only son of Eunice Smith, was born on January 24, 1972, in Dallas, Texas.
  • His father left the family when Hedake was relatively young, and his mother raised him alone.
  • His “Hedake” nickname originally came from his mother, who called him “Headache”, but had to shorten the spelling for a personalized license plate.

  • Check other Articles on

Ashish Maharjan, author at Players Bio, has been covering news with a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling. A writer with a passion for capturing the essence of athletic competition.

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