Considering the slim chances of making it after college, getting drafted into the NBA is a royal flush in and of itself. According to the April 2020 NCAA study,
Just 18,816 male high school basketball players—or 3.5% of the total—play at the collegiate level. The percentage is further diluted for athletes who attend Division I universities.
Now, since only 1.2% of college players make it into the NBA, further narrow down your options.
You would think that the athletes would swear allegiance to honor, dignity, ethics, and the spirit of the game, considering how fortunate they are to have this opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, even after retiring, the majority of the players continued to make contributions to society.
Even so, some people will always look for ways to take advantage of the system and their privilege.
The New York jury found former Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis and former Detroit Piston Will Bynum guilty on November 15, 2023. They were both convicted of participating in a fraudulent scheme in which they submitted fictitious medical claims in order to obtain insurance coverage for their families and themselves. This scam is reportedly expected to cost over $5 million.
All About Will Bynum and Glen Davis
Some of the greatest players of all time were part of the thriving NBA scene in 2000. Some of the greatest teams and players of all time, including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, and Allen Iverson, emerged from the 2000s, according to the Bleachers Report ranking.
A few underdogs would take the basketball community by surprise with their roster of enormous star power. Will Bynum and Glen Davis were two of them.
GLEN DAVIS:
The Boston Celtics’ strategic player selection allowed them to succeed in the 2000s. The 37-year-old Glen “Big Baby” Davis became a dependable forward on the Celtics’ 2008 NBA title squad. During his eight-year career, he played for the Boston, Orlando, and Los Angeles Clippers, demonstrating his consistency and growth.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1723953734659518801
WILL ANALYZE:
The 40-year-old former NBA player competed in the league for four seasons. The Nets, Rockets, Kings, and Celtics selected Bynum in the draft.
In 153 games, Bynum averaged 7.1 points and 2.4 assists, which is a respectable stat line (per ESPN).
The Reason Behind NBA Players’ Insurance Fraud
Over 20 NBA players—the majority of whom have only played one season—have been abusing the NBA’s insurance plan, according to the thorough investigation report.
Here are a few reported names–
- Milt Palacio
- Sebastian Telfair
- Antoine Wright
- Darius Miles
- Ruben Patterson
- Eddie Robinson
- Gregory Smith
- Glen Davis
- Jamario Moon
- Terrence Williams
- Alan Anderson
- Tony Allen
- Shannon Brown
- William Bynum
The NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan has received fake dental and medical claims, medical reports, and false health claims from these players, according to the prosecutors. As a result, the scam saw the embezzlement of over $5 million.
A few players have falsified medical bills and prescriptions, which is a serious offense given how vulnerable the healthcare system is.
William Bynum and Glen Davis were found guilty of scamming the insurance program. In unrelated news, Davis faces charges of cheating on his wife and divorcing him at the same time.
What is your take on this? Do you think the players should receive a prison sentence for defrauding?