NBA Players That Are ROTTING in PRISON: Shocking Stories You Didn’t Know

The world of professional basketball is often seen as a realm of success, fame, and fortune.

Yet, not every NBA story ends on the hardwood with glory.

Some players find themselves rotting behind bars, their careers and lives derailed by poor choices and criminal activity.

One of the most notorious recent cases is that of Jontay Porter.

Once a relatively unknown two-way player making around $400,000 a year, Porter shocked the sports world by becoming the first NBA player banned for life due to gambling-related point shaving.

Early in 2025, DraftKings bettors noticed unusual betting patterns involving Porter’s performance, especially his rebounds.

Porter’s suspicious behavior during games—such as abruptly leaving due to minor injuries and failing to contest rebounds—triggered investigations.

It was revealed he was connected with gambling professionals who knew about his early exits before games.

This elaborate point-shaving scheme yielded millions for bettors but led to Porter facing serious legal consequences, including wire fraud and conspiracy charges.

He is expected to serve multiple years in prison.

Porter’s case echoes a scandal from the 1950s involving Jack Molinas, who ran one of the largest point-shaving rings in basketball history.

While such scandals are rare in the NBA today, Porter’s downfall highlights that the temptation and risks remain.

Another major scandal involved a healthcare fraud scheme from 2017 to 2020.

Terence Williams, the 11th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, orchestrated a fraudulent operation that involved 18 players submitting fake medical claims to the NBA’s health insurance plan.

The scam yielded over $5 million in payouts for treatments that never occurred.

Williams recruited other former players such as Glenn “Big Baby” Davis, Sebastian Telfair, Shannon Brown, and Tony Allen into the scheme.

Despite their collective NBA earnings, these players chose to risk everything for relatively small amounts—averaging about $57,000 a year from the fraud.

The scheme was riddled with glaring errors, including misspelled names and claims filed for treatments in cities where players weren’t even present.

The fallout was severe.

Williams received a 10-year prison sentence, while Davis was sentenced to 40 months.

Others like Tony Allen avoided prison but faced probation and community service.

Keon Dooling and Allan Anderson, who played major roles in recruiting players and managing the scam, were sentenced to 30 and 24 months respectively.

These white-collar crimes shocked the league and fans alike.

The NBA’s strict stance on fraud and corruption ensures that such actions carry harsh penalties, emphasizing that no player is above the law despite their status.

Beyond financial crimes, some former NBA players have been involved in violent offenses.

Javaris Crittenton, infamous for pulling guns on teammate Gilbert Arenas, later committed a drive-by shooting that resulted in a homicide conviction.

He served a 10-year prison sentence and was released quietly in 2023.

Keith Appling’s story is equally tragic but less known.

Once a promising guard from Detroit, Appling was lauded for his hard work and leadership during his college career at Michigan State.

He struggled to secure a lasting NBA spot but continued playing professionally overseas.

However, Appling’s life took a dark turn after basketball.

In 2017, he was charged with possessing an illegal firearm.

Worse still, in 2020, he was charged with delivering heroin, effectively ending his basketball career.

The downward spiral culminated in 2021 when Appling was arrested for the shooting death of a 66-year-old man in Detroit.

In 2023, Appling pled guilty to second-degree murder and firearm charges, receiving a sentence of 18 to 40 years in prison.

Those close to him expressed shock at his downfall, highlighting how quickly a promising life can unravel.

These stories serve as cautionary tales about the perils that can accompany fame and fortune.

While the NBA offers incredible opportunities, it also exposes players to temptations and pressures that can lead to devastating consequences.

Financial mismanagement, poor decision-making, and association with the wrong crowd have all played roles in these players’ downfalls.

The NBA and its players’ union continue to emphasize education and support to prevent future tragedies, but the risks remain real.

For fans, these narratives are sobering reminders that behind every athlete is a human being susceptible to mistakes and vulnerabilities.

The glory of the game can quickly fade when personal demons take hold.

As the league evolves, it must balance celebrating its stars with addressing the challenges they face off the court.

The stories of Jontay Porter, Terence Williams, Keith Appling, and others are stark examples of what can happen when ambition and talent are overshadowed by poor choices.

In the end, these players are more than just headlines—they are individuals whose lives have been forever altered.

Their prison sentences mark the tragic chapters in what could have been remarkable careers.

The NBA continues to grow as a global sport, but it must remain vigilant against the pitfalls that have ensnared some of its own.

Only through awareness, education, and accountability can the league hope to prevent more players from rotting behind bars.

If you found these stories eye-opening, consider exploring more about players who have blackballed themselves from the NBA and the lessons their journeys offer.

The path to greatness is not just about talent—it’s about choices.