Former Blount, University of Alabama basketball star indicted on federal fraud charges

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Former University of Alabama basketball star Kennedy Winston has been indicted on federal fraud charges related to a check-cashing conspiracy that prosecutors say totaled more than $1 million.

Winston, who starred at Blount High School in Prichard before playing at Alabama from 2002 to 2005, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Mobile’s federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The indictment alleges that Winston and co-defendant Xavier Henri Cade conspired to steal U.S. Treasury checks and forged identification documents through the mail from about March to July 2024. They then would use that information to unlawfully obtain funds from a check-cashing business in Coden, according to the allegations.

The indictment alleges that the defendants used the name and address of a victim identified in court documents as “G.G.”

Winston, 41, of Mobile, played forward Blount and won the state’s “Mr. Basketball” honors his senior years. He went on to the University of Alabama where, during his junior year, helped the Crimson Tide to a Top 25 finish and led the Southeastern Conference with a 17.9 points-per-game average.

Winston gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the NBA draft but did not get selected. He then spent several seasons playing professional basketball abroad. At a basketball camp in 2014, AL.com quoted him as saying that it was a difficult experience but that he was at peace with it.

“When I was in school, I wanted to get to my ultimate goal as quick as possible,” he said. “But enjoy that time; when you’re in the real world, you’re in the real world and there’s no going back. From that aspect – forget what happened with the draft – I might choose to enjoy that last year of college basketball.”

The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison upon conviction, although the actual punishment likely would be less under advisory sentencing guidelines. The identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison term that must served on top of any imprisonment on the first charge.

In addition to the criminal penalties, prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of $9,967 in cash, a 2018 Porsche Panamera and a money judgment of almost $1.4 million.