Celtics Champion Has Unique Outlook as He Preps for Prison

Getty Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis in 2011.

Former Boston Celtics star Glen “Big Baby” Davis said he’s not nervous about spending time behind bars. In fact, he said he’s hoping to go and have a good time.

“I’m not nervous. I feel like I’m going to have good quality time in there,” Davis, 38, said in a TMZ interview July 6 outside Los Angeles International Airport. “Learn things, meet new people. It’s going to be all right.”

Davis, part of the Celtics’ 2008 championship team, was sentenced in May to 40 months in a federal prison for defrauding the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan by taking payments for medical treatments he never received. He was convicted in November 2023 along with former Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum.

Davis said he was expected to report to federal prison on August 2 if his appeal falls through.

Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis Hopes to Use Prison to Get in Shape

Until then, he said, he’s everything day to day.

“I’m doing good,” Davis told. “Just taking one day at a time. I’m going through the whole process. There’s an appeal. There’s a lot going on. I’m enjoying my time. Free me.”

He said he’s “super confident” about his appeal but that he was mentally ready for prison, even joking that his time in prison may help him get into shape to be more attractive to women.

“I think one time in my life I just want to be fine as hell,” Davis said. “Shoutout to the ladies out there. Write me. I’ll be in there getting fine as hell. When I get out, call me Big Baby Jailbait.”

Davis Isn’t Concerned Anyone Will Mess With Him in Prison

Davis is a big man. His playing weight is listed at 289 pounds, but he’s no longer in playing shape. His 6-foot-9 frame and his celebrity status will make him stand out among prisoners. He said he didn’t expect that to be a problem.

“I don’t think nobody going to mess with me in jail,” he said. “I think they going to just want to know what’s up, you know. What about [Kevin Garnett], [Rajon] Rondo. I think that’s what they’re going to be asking me.”

Davis pointed out something else he considers a positive about spending time in prison.

“You don’t got to spend no money,” he said.

Trade From Seattle Paved Way for Celtics Title

Davis was selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. They traded him, along with Ray Allen, in a key move that helped the way for Boston’s first championship since 1986.

The 2008 championship team in 2008 also included Garnett, Allen, Paul Pierce. Davis was a 6-foot-9, 289-pound power forward was a rookie who appeared in 69 games during the season in which the Celtics brought home Banner 17 after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals.

In his four seasons with the Celtics, Davis averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds. In December 2011, the Celtics traded him to the Orlando Magic. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers.