Sebastian Telfair asks Donald Trump for last-minute pardon before prison
sebastian-telfair-asks-donald-trump-for-last-minute-pardon-before-prison
NEW YORK — Former high-school basketball phenom Sebastian Telfair on Tuesday appealed directly to Donald Trump for a pardon in a final bid to avoid an impending prison term.
The Brooklyn native, celebrated for his storied career at Lincoln High School and later in the NBA, issued the plea on Aug. 12, 2025, describing it as a “last-ditch” effort for clemency before he is required to surrender to authorities. Details of Telfair’s conviction and sentence were not disclosed in the public request.
In a statement released on social media, Telfair asked Trump to intervene, saying he hopes to stay with his family instead of entering custody. Representatives for Telfair did not provide additional comment, and Trump’s office has not responded to the request.
Telfair’s appeal comes years after his standout high-school career made him one of New York City’s most recognizable athletes, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2004 NBA Draft.
Source: New York Post
