In an open interview on "The OGs Show" podcast hosted by Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, former Miami Heat guard Keyon Dooling recounts his intriguing life story of resilience.
Dooling discusses in detail his upbringing in Florida and the difficulties he faced during his time in prison, emphasizing the significance of mental health, and the effects of trauma on his journey.
Dooling also reminisced about his formative years in basketball, sharing valuable insights from his NBA career, including entertaining anecdotes featuring icons such as Shaquille O'Neal and Pat Riley.
The 10th pick in the 2000 draft, Dooling joined the Heat in 2004 after stints with the Magic and Clippers. He quickly realized that being part of Miami's roster required upholding a specific standard on and off the basketball court. aAlthough Dooling played just one season for the Heat, he credits the insights gained during this time as being instrumental to his development personally and professionally.
It's been a long, complicated journey for Keyon Dooling.
For those who may not be aware, Dooling's journey has been fraught with challenges, beginning with childhood trauma and culminating in legal issues. In 2020, Dooling was appointed to the coaching staff of the Utah Jazz under then-head coach Quin Snyder.
However, just two years into his tenure, Dooling, along with many other former players, became connected to an insurance fraud scandal related to the NBA Players' Health and Welfare Plan.
On the latest episode of the "OGs Show" podcast, Haslem asked Dooling about one of the most challenging periods of his life: his unexpected arrest in 2022.
Dooling mentioned how the drastic shift from coaching in the NBA to suddenly facing legal charges in a courtroom became a reality check when had to seek new avenues for income and determine the next steps.
"It’s been a rough two-year period," Dooling said. "Coming from the apex, being in coaching at the highest level to being indicted, that’s a long fall from grace. And then the fallout that comes along with it. So the silence, the isolation, you have to kind of reformulate who you are."
After facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Dooling was arrested for his role in the healthcare fraud scheme. As a result, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison, but served 10 before being released. A total of $5 million in individual fraudulent claims were submitted, which varied from $65,000 to $420,000. The indictment indicated that Dooling personally received around $350,000.
During the discussion with his former teammate, the 44-year-old Dooling further reflected on the legal difficulties, and how taking accountability allowed him to better himself. He credits his ability to accept the consequences for his actions as one of the reasons he could handle the mental stress of his legal troubles and time in prison.
"You’re dealing with the system as well. I was facing a lot of time," Dooling said. "I had a lot of guys cooperating against me. So to be able to stand in the face of that like a man and accept responsibility and not implicate or include anybody. I like the way that I handled that.”
For individuals who may not have fully grasped Dooling's subtle implications, he clarified to Haslem that he had the option to rat people out but opted against it. Ultimately, the situation extended beyond merely navigating the case, and it was about adhering to his values.
“When you take an action, you must be prepared to face the repercussions," Dooling said. "I place great importance on consequences. Choosing to snitch was not the path I decided to take."
Dooling's situation was ironic, because before his arrest, he had been a key figure in the union’s wellness program, helping players with their mental health and well-being. Although he has moved past the emotional impact of the situation, the memories remain vivid.
Since his release, Keyon has dedicated himself to promoting reform based on his personal experiences.
Dooling's narrative serves as a compelling testament to the strength of resilience when confronted with challenges, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and the therapeutic benefits of sharing personal experiences.