It was 2020 when Keyon Dooling was hired by the Jazz to join the then-head coach Quin Snyder’s coaching staff. But just two years into the job, the assistant coach got caught up in an NBA insurance fraud scandal (NBA’s Health and Welfare Benefits Plan) and served 10 months in prison. Along with him, former NBA forward Alan Anderson and league veteran Terrence Williams were also found guilty. But since then, it has been Dooling’s mission to talk about reforms through his own experience. For instance, in December 2024, he appeared in his first interview post-prison on ‘All the Smoke’ (with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson) and spoke about the incident and all that went down.

“When you’re incarcerated, bro, you’re on lockdown a lot,” he told Barnes and Jackson.“In my 10 months in there we were probably locked down for about three of those months. You can’t go outside, the TV rooms might be locked, no commissary.” His first night was difficult as he didn’t want to take a shower. “But the bros in there wouldn’t let that happen.” Instead, they gave him the things he would need.

Then in January, he was on the ‘Straight Game Podcast’ where he stated, “I won’t be defined by that, I’ll be redefined by that, and I’ll meet a different version of myself.” Now, in his newest conversation on ‘The OGs’, he once again shared aspects of his story and how Barnes and Jackson helped him along the way.

“I’m a hooper at heart. I love sports. So being able to talk on my podcast: Beyond the Narrative; The crossover. I do stuff with Matt on All the Smoke and Stak Jackson over there on All the Smoke and so I’m kind of finding my rhythm and my way in this space has been very therapeutic for me,” he said on the OGs podcast with Udonis Haslem. “We just getting started, bro.”

Barnes and Dooling go way back. Though the former got drafted earlier, he didn’t get to play until the 2003-2004 season (the Los Angeles Clippers signed him for the second half). He was eager to prove himself, but soon realized what the league actually was like. On the first day of practice, he witnessed Dooling and Quentin Richardson throwing punches at each other!

Well, that was in the past. Keyon Dooling will now be co-hosting the podcast Beyond the Narrative with Andy Hernandez and insider Nevin. The podcast focuses on his love for basketball. In the first episode of the podcast, he discussed his passion for basketball and how it kept him going during his 10 months in prison. Time and again, he has expressed gratitude towards Matt Barnes and Jackson for their unwavering support and belief in his abilities to get back on his own. 

Top Comment by Jcballin

I’m glad he sees the light at the other end of the tunnel bc most won’t

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Keyon Dooling is redefining his life 

As per reports from the United States Attorney’s Office, Judge Valerie E. Caproni. reportedly sentenced Dooling to 30 months. After Dooling spent 10 months in federal prison, he had to serve four months in a halfway house and be in home confinement for two months.

When Dooling publicly spoke about the incident for the first time on ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, he remarked, “You know, it’s a brotherhood league. I’m not pointing fingers at anybody, but I got exposed. Some cats was moving around doing that and I decided to do it. Man, one of the worst, not one of the worst, the worst decisions I made in my entire life.

“And you know, I embrace it. You know, I’m apologetic for it. That’s why I’m open to speaking about it, right? Because I don’t want anybody else to put themselves in harm’s way. I don’t want anybody to bite that apple from that tree in any way, shape or form.”

Dooling further explained how the NBA is a brotherhood, and it’s not something everyone has the privilege to be a part of. He can make amendments, perhaps just like how former football player Michael Vick did. What do you think?