Terrence Williams NBA: How the Mastermind Behind Glen Davis’ Insurance Fraud Planned the Controversy

Federal court sentenced former NBA forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis to 40 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to defraud the NBA’s healthcare benefits plan. 22 people, 18 of whom are former NBA players like Davis, Will Bynum, and Keyon Dooling, were convicted and sentenced. But no one has received a longer prison time than Davis apart from Terrence Williams, the alleged ringleader. Though Davis maintains his innocence, prosecutors claim he made a “sophisticated and intelligent effort” to cover his part in Williams’ scheme.

When indictments were first brought in this case in 2021, Williams was touted as the mastermind behind it. The 2009 11th overall draft pick, who played both in the league and overseas, fell from grace and ended his pro-athletic career.

Terrence Williams pled guilty to con

Williams started his career with the New Jersey Nets and signed with multiple teams over the next decade but would be waived off without much playtime. He last played pro ball in 2015 in Venezuela. Between the end of his career and 2021, not much was known about what Williams was doing. The most he was famous for in the past was his 300+ sneaker collection.

In 2021, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York charged Terrence Williams and 15 others in connection to a scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. The alleged fraudulent claims are estimated between $4 to $5 million.

The charges alleged Williams presented fraudulent medical and dental invoices for his co-conspirators. They’d submit the claims for medical care that were never rendered. As the mastermind, he received kickbacks from this plot. He pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2022. In August 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Reports don’t disclose the status of his sentence and where he is serving it.

Following Williams’ sentencing, others involved were sentenced in 2024. Most of them are former NBA players.

More NBA players face consequences

Glen Davis, who won the 2008 title with the Boston Celtics and last played for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, was found guilty of multiple fraud charges and making false statements. Along with a prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution. His supervised release includes conditions like financial management class and mandatory dr*g treatment.

Before his sentencing, his attorney submitted testimonies from his family, former coaches, and multiple officials in the NBPA like Andre Iguodala to consider the good he has done over his career during his sentencing. His defense was fighting for a community service-related sentence along with mental health counseling.

Will Bynum was known for a six-season career with the Detroit Pistons. Now he’s sentenced to 18 months due to this scandal. He was also ordered to forfeit $182,000 and pay additional restitution of that same amount. According to the US Attorney’s office, Bynum received fake invoices for chiropractic care, amounting to $200,000. Besides his involvement in the con, he was also charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying under oath.

Keyon Dooling, who last played in 2013 and coached the Utah Jazz in 2020, was sentenced to 30 months. Former Clippers player, Alan Anderson, was sentenced to 24 months.

Despite some NBA officials writing to the court for leniency on Davis, no one came out to support Big Baby and the others at their sentencing. It’s not known where all the convicted players will serve their respective sentences.