Glen Davis Shares His Thoughts After Early Release from Prison due to Fraud Conviction
Former NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis has addressed his early release from prison after serving 17 months for fraud charges. In a video shared on X on Thursday, March 12, Davis stated, “They tried to hold me down. You know what I’m saying? But I’m back, man. I’m back, baby.”
Davis was initially sentenced to 40 months in May 2024 for allegedly submitting false medical claims to the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. Despite these allegations, the 40-year-old has consistently declared his innocence. Former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced in November 2023 that Davis was among over 20 individuals convicted in a scheme that purportedly yielded more than $5 million in fraudulent gains through fake chiropractic and dental receipts.
As part of his release conditions, Davis will spend four months at the Long Beach Residential Reentry Management Office, a halfway house, to facilitate his transition to community living. His attorney, Brendan White, noted that Davis “used his time productively while serving his sentence and took many programs during that time. He’s ready to become a productive member of society again.”
Glen Davis in March 2011. Gail Oskin/Getty Images for T-Mobile
In accordance with his release conditions, Davis will participate in financial management classes and drug treatment programs. His release from the Long Beach Residential Reentry Management Office is set for July 9.
Initially, Davis was set to begin his prison term on September 1, 2024. However, a judge agreed to delay the start date to allow him to finish filming a documentary about his life. His legal team argued that the income generated from this project could assist Davis in repaying the $80,000 restitution he owed.
During his sentencing hearing in May 2024, his attorney highlighted Davis’ challenging financial circumstances, revealing that he had requested $800 to cover a phone bill. “I’ve been struggling because basketball was taken from me,” Davis expressed to the judge. “That’s all I know. I was [an] expert at that. But when I lost basketball, I lost myself.”
Before his legal troubles, Davis played college basketball for Louisiana State University from 2004 to 2007 and was part of the Boston Celtics’ NBA Championship team in 2008. He also had stints with the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers and attempted a comeback with the St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada before retiring in 2019.
