Former Celtic Echoes Michael Jordan’s ‘I’m Back’ After Jail Time

Former Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis posted a defiant message on social media after leaving prison this week, declaring that he is “back” as he begins the next chapter of his life.

In a video posted on X shortly after his release Thursday, Davis delivered a brief statement that echoed one of basketball’s most famous comeback lines — the two-word message Michael Jordan sent to the sports world when he returned to the NBA in 1995.

“They tried to hold me down,” Davis said in the video. “You know what I’m saying? But I’m back, man. I’m back, baby.”

The 39-year-old Davis was released after serving 17 months in federal prison for his role in a fraud scheme involving the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan, according to reporting from The Athletic.

Davis had been sentenced in May 2024 to 40 months in prison after prosecutors said he participated in a conspiracy that submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims for medical and dental services.

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Fraud Scheme Involved Former NBA Players

Federal prosecutors said Davis was among 19 individuals — including 18 former NBA players — charged in the wide-ranging fraud case.

Authorities said participants submitted fabricated invoices for chiropractic and dental treatments that were never performed, resulting in roughly $2.5 million in fraudulent reimbursements between November 2017 and June 2019.

Former NBA player Terrence Williams was identified by prosecutors as the organizer of the scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2023.

Several other former NBA players were also charged, including Tony Allen, Shannon Brown and Sebastian Telfair.

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Davis Now Transitioning Through Halfway House

Although Davis is out of prison, he has not fully completed his sentence.

Federal records show he was transferred to community confinement overseen by the Bureau of Prisons through the Long Beach Residential Reentry Management Office, commonly referred to as a halfway house.

He is scheduled to remain there until July 9 as part of the reintegration process.

As part of the conditions of his sentence, Davis must participate in financial management classes and drug treatment programs. He was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution.

After leaving the facility, Davis will spend three years under supervised release.

Davis’ attorney, Brendan White, told The Athletic that the former NBA player used his time in prison productively.

“He used his time productively while serving his sentence and took many programs during that time,” White said. “He’s ready to become a productive member of society again.”

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Celtics Champion and NBA Veteran

Davis entered the NBA as a second-round pick in the 2007 draft when the Seattle SuperSonics selected him before trading his rights to Boston as part of a deal involving Ray Allen.

He became a key reserve on the Celtics’ 2008 championship team alongside Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Known for his physical style and emotional presence, Davis appeared in more than 500 NBA games over eight seasons and also played for the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now beginning the transition back into everyday life, Davis’ short message suggests he believes a new chapter is starting — one he framed with a phrase that instantly evokes one of the most famous returns in basketball history.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo