Lance Stephenson Praying for Sebastian Telfair, 'We Grew Up Together'
NBA's Lance Stephenson Praying for Sebastian Telfair 'We Grew Up Together'
Lance Stephenson is clearly emotional about his old pal Sebastian Telfair getting sentenced to 3.5 years in prison ... telling TMZ Sports, "That's like family right there."
Telfair -- a 1st round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft -- was found guilty of felony weapons possession stemming from a crazy 2017 arrest where cops say they found an arsenal of weapons, ammo, bulletproof vest and weed. He's currently serving out his sentence in a NY State Prison.
28-year-old Stephenson tells us he grew up playing ball and training with 34-year-old Telfair ... and still strongly believes his old friend is a good person who can get his life back on track.
"I know he's a good kid," Lance says ... "He's got great spirit. I know it's very tough on him and his family."
Lance added, "I'm trying to support as much as I can but it's very hard. That situation's very tough."
"I'm praying for him too. I think he'll be alright."
Telfair was facing up to 15 years behind bars, so he got off relatively easy -- but during the sentencing hearing, he begged the judge for even more leniency.
"Please don’t take me from the society right now," Telfair told the judge ... "I’m 34. I can go play in China for another six years, take care of my family."
The judge wasn't having it though and told the former high school phenom -- "The judgment in this case, sir, is what the jury convicted you of ... You’ve achieved greatness in your life, and this case doesn’t take that away."
