Former NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis, renowned for his tenure with the Boston Celtics, received a 40-month prison sentence from a federal judge on Thursday, along with three years of supervised release. This verdict follows his November 2023 conviction in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the NBA’s health care benefits plan.
Maintaining his innocence since indictments were issued in October 2021, the 38-year-old Davis was found guilty of multiple fraud charges and conspiring to make false statements. Additionally, he was directed to pay $80,000 in restitution. Conditions for his supervised release include attending a financial management class and undergoing mandatory drug treatment.
Former Teammates Advocate for Leniency
In a case involving a total of 22 individuals sentenced, including 18 former players like Terrence Williams and Keyon Dooling, the scheme entailed submitting false medical claims to the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. Williams, deemed the mastermind, received a 10-year sentence last August, while another ex-player, Will Bynum, was sentenced to 18 months for perjury.
During the sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finkel portrayed Davis as orchestrating a “sophisticated and intelligent effort” to conceal his wrongdoing. Despite pleas for leniency from family, former coaches, and NBA players’ union officials, including Andre Iguodala, few members of the public attended the hearing.
Davis, who retired from the NBA in 2015 after a prosperous career, including winning the 2008 championship with the Celtics, grew visibly emotional throughout the proceedings. He implored Judge Valerie E. Caproni to assist him in “returning to his true self,” expressing profound remorse for his actions.
His defense attorney, Sabrina Shroff, advocated for a time-served sentence, coupled with community service, mental health therapy, and treatment for cannabis addiction. Despite her plea, Davis received the 40-month prison term.
