Nearly two years after being sentenced for his role in a massive health insurance fraud scheme involving former NBA players, Glen "Big Baby" Davis is officially out of prison.
The former Boston Celtics forward was released this week after serving roughly 17 months of a 40-month federal sentence tied to a scheme that defrauded the NBA Players' Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. Davis had originally been sentenced in May 2024, but he did not begin serving his prison term until October 2024, after a judge granted a delay so he could finish filming a documentary intended to help cover restitution payments.
Shortly after his release, Davis posted a celebratory message online.
"They tried to hold me down," Davis said in a video shared on X. "But I'm back, man. I'm back, baby."
Stacy Revere/BIG3 via Getty Images
The NBA Health Care Fraud Scheme
The case first came to light in October 2021, when federal prosecutors charged a large group of former NBA players with submitting fraudulent medical reimbursement claims to the league's health insurance plan.
According to prosecutors, the group filed approximately $5 million in fake medical and dental claims between 2017 and 2019, ultimately receiving around $2.5 million in payouts.
In total, 18 former NBA players were implicated in the scheme, along with several other participants. Investigators said the players submitted falsified invoices for services that were never actually performed, including expensive dental and chiropractic procedures.
The alleged ringleader of the operation was former New Jersey Nets guard Terrence Williams, who was sentenced in 2023 to 10 years in federal prison. Several other players also received prison sentences.
Among the most notable:
Keyon Dooling: 27 months
Alan Anderson: 24 months
Glen Davis: 40 months
Davis ultimately received the second-longest sentence among the players involved.
In addition to prison time, Davis was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution, attend financial management classes, and participate in drug treatment programs.
Early Release And Halfway House
Although Davis was sentenced to more than three years behind bars, he was released after serving roughly 17 months.
Following his release, Davis will transition into a halfway house program in Long Beach, California, where he will continue fulfilling conditions tied to his sentence. Federal records indicate he will remain under supervision until July 2026 before entering a longer period of three years of supervised release.
According to Davis' attorney, the former NBA player spent his time in prison participating in rehabilitation and educational programs.
"He used his time productively while serving his sentence and took many programs during that time," attorney Brendan White told reporters. "He's ready to become a productive member of society again."
Glen Davis' NBA Career
Glen Davis first rose to national prominence as a standout player at LSU, helping lead the Tigers to the 2006 Final Four.
He entered the NBA in the 2007 draft, when the Seattle SuperSonics selected him in the second round before trading his rights to the Boston Celtics.
Davis quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his size, personality, and physical style of play. As a rookie, he provided valuable minutes off the bench for a Celtics team that went on to win the 2008 NBA Championship.
He spent four seasons in Boston before being traded to the Orlando Magic, where he played three seasons. Davis finished his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in his final NBA games during the 2014–2015 season.
Over the course of his nine-year NBA career, Davis earned approximately $34.3 million in salary.
Life After The NBA
After stepping away from the NBA, Davis explored several ventures outside basketball.
He attempted to transition into television and film, making appearances in shows like "Shameless" and "Power Book IV: Force." He also joined the BIG3 basketball league, where he won a championship in 2018.
Despite those post-NBA opportunities, Davis ultimately became entangled in the federal fraud investigation that resulted in his prison sentence.
Now newly released, the former Celtics big man says he is ready to move forward with the next chapter of his life.
Read more: Former NBA Player Glen "Big Baby" Davis Released From Prison Early After Fraud Sentence
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