Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis’ sentenced to 40 months in prison for NBA benefits fraud scheme

by:Brian Jones•05/09/24•

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May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Glen Davis (0) reacts after a basket in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been sentenced to 40 months in prison, plus three years of supervised release for his November conviction in an alleged scheme to defraud the NBA’s health and Benefits plan, according to ESPN. Davis was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution.

Davis is one of more than 20 people, including former players such as Terrence Williams and Keyon Dooling, who have been sentenced in the case for filing false medical claims with the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

At the time of the trial, prosecutors said doctors and dentists working with the players created fraudulent invoices that were submitted to the supplemental insurance plan for reimbursement. “Today’s conviction exemplifies that despite notoriety or success in sports or any other field, no one is exempt from criminal charges if they engage in fraud,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement at the time, per USA Today.

A look at Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis’ NBA career

Davis, 38, played in the NBA from 2007 to 2015. He was selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics but was traded to the Boston Celtics on draft night. In his first season with the Celtics, Davis helped the team win an NBA championship. He remained with the Celtics for four seasons before being traded to the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.

In February 2014, Davis and the Magic agreed to a contract buyout. He then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and was with the team for the rest of the season. Davis re-signed with the team in July 2014 and played in 74 games. In his NBA career, Davis averaged eight points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Davis played college basketball at LSU and had a strong career. He was named SEC Rookie of the Year in 2005 and SEC Player of the Year in 2006. Davis was also named to the All-American Second Team by Sporting News in 2006.

In 2022, Davis spoke to NBC Boston about getting into comedy. “The thing I’ve been really loving to do is comedy… It’s a new thing,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve always wanted to get on stage, but now it’s just getting it done. It’s a whole different process. You have to start from the ground up, but it’s fun.”