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Ex-NBA Star Sebastian Telfair Has Been Released From Prison
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- Ex-NBA Star Sebastian Telfair Has Been Released From Prison
Former NBA guard Sebastian Telfair is in the headlines for the right reasons this Tuesday.
Telfair, 40, was one of the most polarizing prospects leading up to the 2004 NBA Draft. Although he never went to college, he showed more than enough talent at Abraham Lincoln High School to warrant being a first-round pick. The Portland Trail Blazers ultimately drafted him with the No. 13 overall pick.
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After spending time with the Trail Blazers from 2004-2006, Telfair had stints with the Boston Celtics , Minnesota Timberwolves , Los Angeles Clippers , Cleveland Cavaliers , Phoenix Suns , Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder . The former McDonald's All-American averaged 7.4 points and 3.5 assists per game during his NBA career.
Nov 30, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Phoenix Suns guard Sebastian Telfair (31) defends against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Suns 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports© Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
In 2021, Telfair and several other NBA players were accused of defrauding the league's health and welfare benefit plan. This defraud scheme reportedly started in 2017.
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Initially, Telfair was sentenced to three years probation in 2023. However, he was ordered to report to prison this past August for failing to abide fulfill his court-ordered community service and report to the U.S. Probation Office.
With Christmas just two days away, Telfair was released from prison. Antoinette Media shared a video of him out in public on Instagram.
"EXCLUSIVE: SEBASTIAN TELFAIR IS HOME," Antoinette Media wrote. "Just days before Christmas, our guy Bassy has been released from federal prison."
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NBA fans rooting for Telfair.
Telfair's shortcomings haven't affected how NBA fans view him. If anything, they're rooting for his comeback story.
"This was great I want this guy to win no matter what no man is perfect," one fan commented.
"Happy for bro, praying and cheering for him," a second fan said.
"My guy Bassy. Wish him nothing but the best," an Instagram user wrote.
We're certainly hoping Telfair takes advantage of his second chance.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
