Former NBA star Sebastian Telfair, fresh out of federal prison, says Sean “Diddy” Combs is “holding it down” behind bars and using the time to adjust from his former “rock star life.”
Telfair, 40, spoke with TMZ on Wednesday just hours after being released from FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. The former point guard had been serving time for violating the conditions of his supervised release related to a 2021 healthcare fraud case.
While Telfair is now home with his family, he shared a rare glimpse into the daily life of Combs, who remains at the facility following a 15-year sentence for violating the Mann Act.
“Diddy’s holding it down,” Telfair said in the interview. “He’s doing what he’s got to do. And where he’s at, they’re going to help him.”
Telfair reflected on the stark contrast between the music mogul’s former life of excess and the reality of a federal correctional institution. He noted that while the transition was difficult for him as a former professional athlete, he “couldn’t imagine how Diddy felt” given the scale of the mogul’s previous lifestyle involving constant partying and luxury.
However, Telfair suggested that the isolation of prison might be serving as a forced reset for the Bad Boy Records founder. He told TMZ that the time away from the “rock star life” and drugs could be useful in helping Combs “turn over a new leaf.”
Combs’ presence at Fort Dix has been a point of high public interest since his sentencing. Telfair’s comments are among the first first-hand accounts of the mogul’s demeanor since he began his sentence at the low-security facility.
As for his own future, Telfair announced he is not staying away from the court for long. He revealed that he has signed a contract to join Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league.
“No one knows this yet, but the contract is signed,” Telfair said. “I’m coming for the MVP.”
Telfair, a high school phenom who was drafted 13th overall in 2004, played 10 seasons in the NBA for teams including the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics.
Representatives for Combs have not commented on Telfair’s remarks.
