Former Boston Celtics player Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been granted a delay in the start of his three-year prison sentence for a fraud conviction in Manhattan federal court. Judge Valerie E. Caproni has allowed Davis to postpone reporting to prison until October 22 to work on a documentary film project about his life, granting him seven weeks beyond his initial deadline.
Davis, a member of the Celtics’ 2008 championship team, was involved in defrauding an NBA players’ insurance plan, along with about two dozen others, including doctors, to the tune of over $5 million. His attorney, Brendan White, requested the delay, stating that a Hollywood production company needed more time to complete the project due to difficulties in arranging interviews with professional teammates and colleagues who were integral to the film.
The film’s revenue is expected to assist in paying off $80,000 in restitution Davis owes. Caproni acknowledged the significant restitution debt during the postponement ruling, expressing hope that the financial gains from the film could contribute to fulfilling the owed amount.
During a May 9 sentencing, Davis addressed the challenges he faced after a career-ending injury, describing his struggle with the loss of basketball, which he identified as his expertise and identity. His lawyer, Sabrina Shroff, portrayed Davis as having faced severe financial hardship, even recalling an incident where he asked her for $800 to keep his phone service functioning. Despite these challenges, Caproni noted Davis’ lack of full cooperation with Probation Department officers and failure to address underlying issues.
The federal prosecutor, Ryan Finkel, remarked that Davis was one of the most successful players implicated in the insurance scheme, having been a key player on a championship team. Davis, now 38, played for the Celtics, Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Clippers from 2007 to 2015, following his success at Louisiana State University.
