Basketball
Russian athlete Kasatkin accused of cybercrime released in shocking prisoner swap
Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin26, returned to his home country in January this year after being released from a French prison in a prisoner swap. KasatkinMBA-MAI and defender of the Russian national team was exchanged for Laurent Vinatiera convicted French political scientist. Russia He was also charged with spying in violation of the Foreign Agents Act. The agreement, reached after diplomatic and intelligence negotiations, ended the saga of the athlete’s six-month detention.
Kasatkin He was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Paris June 21, 2025, upon request. united states of americaaccused him of cybercrime. The basketball player has pleaded not guilty, claiming he was the victim of a misunderstanding related to the computer purchase. Despite his explanation, the court Paris Extradition request approved in October 2025 united states of americawhere he faced the possibility of a heavy prison sentence.
As Laurent, VinatierHe was arrested as an employee of a Swiss non-governmental organization. Russia The Russian Ministry of Justice recognized him as a foreign agent and sentenced him to three years in prison on October 14, 2024, for failing to register as a foreign agent. Additionally, on May 21, 2025, Vinatier was charged with espionage. After spending about a year and a half in a Russian prison, he was pardoned by presidential decree. Russian Federation As part of an exchange agreement.
release of Kasatkin was enthusiastically received in Russia. Vladimir DiachokManaging Director Russian Federation A basketball reporter called it “the best news of the new year.” igor KocharyanThe general director of the MBA-MAI club said they are waiting. Kasatkin Training in progress. However, the athlete was unable to practice while incarcerated and complained of poor detention conditions, making his prospects for resuming his professional career uncertain.
Just five days after his release, Daniil Kasatkin I signed a contract with the club.”Enisei‘ of Krasnoyarsk,in VTB United Leagueaway from his previous team, MBA-MAI. This high-profile exchange is not an isolated case and is reminiscent of a precedent with 2022 American basketball player Britney. Greiner The person who replaced it was Russian businessman Viktor. gameAfter being convicted of Russia For drug trafficking.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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Basketball
Former Miami Heat employee sentenced to three years in prison for stealing 400 game jerseys
A former Miami Heat security officer has received three years in prison for stealing and selling team merchandise, ESPN reports.
Marcos Perez, 62, was convicted in the United States in early January, according to court records. Back in August 2025, he pleaded guilty to selling stolen goods.
Perez spent 25 years with the Miami Police Department before leaving the force and joining the Miami Heat, where he was responsible for security from 2016 to 2025.
According to federal prosecutors and the FBI, over the years, Perez stole more than 400 jerseys and other gaming paraphernalia from a secure warehouse, after which he sold the stolen goods on various online platforms. Among the stolen items were valuable rarities. Perez was one of the few employees who had access to the warehouse where the collection for the Miami Club Museum, which had not yet opened, was being collected.
Perez sold approximately $1.9 million worth of paraphernalia, authorities said. In particular, he admitted to selling LeBron James’ NBA Finals jersey for approximately $100,000. The T-shirt was later sold at Sotheby’s for $3.7 million.
In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Perez was ordered to compensate the club for damages in the amount of the above amount – $1.9 million.
Source: Sportbox
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The Brooklyn Nets were defeated by the Boston Celtics in a home game of the NBA regular season.
The meeting in New York ended with a score of 130:126 OT (28:28, 21:27, 29:26, 26:23, 26:22) in favor of the guests. The winner was determined in the second overtime.
Celtics forward Jaylen Brown scored a triple-double: 27 points + 12 assists + 10 rebounds. Boston point guard Payton Pritchard scored 32 points, and the Nets’ top scorer was Michael Porter (30).
Brooklyn’s Russian point guard Egor Demin scored six points, made four rebounds and two assists.
Brooklyn (12 wins/31 losses) ranks 13th in the Eastern Conference. Boston (28/16) is in second position.
Results of other matches of the day
Detroit Pistons – Houston Rockets – 104:111
Atlanta Hawks – Phoenix Suns – 110:103
Cleveland Cavaliers – Sacramento Kings – 123:118
Memphis Grizzlies – New Orleans Pelicans – 127:133
Oklahoma City Thunder – Indiana Pacers – 114:117
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has been writing for a news website since 2015. My work primarily focuses on sports news, but I have also written about other topics such as technology and the arts. I have an extensive background in journalism, having worked as a reporter for a local newspaper before moving to a news website.
Timothy McCormack, who lives in New York, became the first person to be convicted in the NBA’s high-profile insider betting case. He was sentenced to two years in prison in Brooklyn federal court for using inside information to place bets on league players.
Prosecutors had sought a four-year prison sentence, calling McCormack’s actions intentional fraud. The defense, on the contrary, talked about his long-term gambling addiction. The court also banned McCormack from gambling for a year after his release. He must report to prison by April 20.
McCormack is betting on games involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who is banned from basketball for life, as well as games involving Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier.
The investigation began after the betting companies reported suspicious activity to the International Betting Integrity Association and then to the FBI.
McCormack’s conviction was the first real sentence in a case that has increased scrutiny on betting integrity and highlighted the risks of insider trading in professional sports.
New York returns to debate over legalizing online casinos
Source: Sport UA
Ralph Bean is a writer for Sportish. Ralph has written about sports news for the last two years, and is currently an author on the site. He enjoys writing about sports, and hopes to cover more stories in the future.
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