Former NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to defraud a health care benefits plan. In November, Davis was convicted of health care fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit false statements and health care and wire fraud, carrying a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Davis reacted to his sentence by joking that he would use the time to get in better physical shape by changing his diet and exercise routine.
In addition to the prison sentence, Davis will also have to undergo supervised release for three years, attend a financial management class, and undergo mandatory drug treatment as conditions of his release. He was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution. More than 20 people have been charged and sentenced in connection to the scheme, which involved filing inaccurate medical claims with the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan as detailed in the indictment.
During his nine-year NBA career, Davis was a member of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 championship team and also played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers. He was known for his size, weighing an average of 290 pounds during his playing days. Following the sentencing, Davis joked during an Instagram Live video that the prison sentence presented a unique opportunity for him to improve his physical condition and joked that he would become “The Rock” by changing his diet and exercise habits.
Davis’ conviction and sentencing highlight the consequences of white-collar crime in professional sports, as individuals found guilty can face significant prison time and financial penalties. Despite his time in prison, Davis remains optimistic about his ability to get in better shape and joked about his plans to change his diet and exercise routine. Davis’ case is one of many in which former NBA players have faced legal troubles related to fraud schemes, underscoring the importance of ethical behavior and compliance with the law in professional sports.
