NY Basketball Legend Sebastian Telfair Tells His Life Story (Full Interview)

New York basketball legend and former NBA player Sebastian Telfair joined VladTV for a candid talk on his upbringing and basketball career. Raised on Coney Island, Telfair recounted his early life in the rough neighborhood, where his father, a Vietnam vet suffering from physical and mental trauma inflicted by the war, tried to provide for a family of 14 children. Telfair went into detail about his dad's influence on his resilience and his sense of patriotism. He shared about how the Coney Island community was like a family, encapsulating an array of life experiences, including economic challenges, family dynamics, and violence. His basketball career started at the tender age of nine, and by fifth grade, he was considered one of the top players in the US for his age group. He explained why he skipped college and turned pro before detailing the ups and downs throughout his NBA career. To hear more, check out the full interview above.

[@KD_SWAGGER]

There's a lot of great players in high school that don't play 10 years in the NBA. Sebastian Telfair's Through The Fire documentary is must see and I still own the DVD.

[@delbertprince5302]

That dvd with Telfair is real. The dvd is priceless

[@KD_SWAGGER]

@@delbertprince5302 Agreed.

[@missayawk]

Bassy should've had a reality show based on that DVD. He was hilarious.

[@KD_SWAGGER]

@@missayawk Never too late.

[@missayawk]

@@KD_SWAGGER True or " FACTS" 😂

[@gchild124]

He is 100 about the league and the hedge funding. Wise brotha

[@carlnash7200]

I was Bassy’s coach in China. He was awesome as a player and we got along well. The city loved him. I will always be thankful to have had the opportunity to be apart of that team. Coached Clyde Ellis from Coney Island who played with Stephon Marbury at Lincoln HS. I enjoyed coaching all these players. Tough as hell.

[@delbertprince5302]

I grew up with Clyde Ellis in Coney Island. We lived in the same building.

[@NouNou25]

Bro how come so many guys from Lincoln go to china ? They should start sending there scouts to they games loool

[@jstepheny63]

Shout Out To Telfair, Very Humble & Honest Interview. Brooklyn Let's Stand Up!

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Glad he is okay ❤

[@blackdaryl8378]

The way he smiles while talking about his dad💪🏿💐

[@midwestdolo818]

Love seeing more of that

[@KJ-gr6ho]

Big facts

[@1Blkkato]

i came on here expecting not to like this guy but he sounds like a solid dude

[@alexandervelasquez1830]

Sebastian “Facts” Telfair

[@frost-lx9by]

Lmaooo he said facts when I seen the comment

[@gdc6153]

Facts

[@RDNYC01]

And YUP

[@eldoradoanderson3089]

Factor

[@barbaradeleon9743]

Loved the interview. Grew up on 33rd st. In CI. Knew Telfair from afar. You lived. Now you're on your 2nd act Good Luck.

[@delbertprince5302]

Coney Island representing. I am from CI. I lived in OT. Born and raised in CI. Played against Steph in my era.

[@Rellbronjames9]

Rest Up Mama Telfair and Dan, i lost my bro to COVID too that sh*t tore me apart 🙏🏿🕊

[@delbertprince5302]

Sebastian is keeping it real about the marriage life with NBA players

[@mitchell7309]

Don’t even understand why they get married. And def not understand why none of them have the discipline of pull out game.

[@manuelquinones1390]

Props to my Man!!! He went through Hell and Back!!! God Bless Brother 🙏🏻

[@triniboy05]

Been waiting for this full interview 💪🏾

[@BC-go5yl]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Definitely needs a part2

[@jezmoxey6930]

Outstanding interview - thanks Sebastian, fantastic, honest, real and wonderfully insightful. You the man!!

[@nativenation3720]

Telfair one of the best players as a guard that came out of HS I always still talk about his great basketball to this day! Great interview….

[@delbertprince5302]

Disagree. It is Stephon Marbury

[@keithnewton1780]

This was an amazing interview

[@lgjulius32]

One of the best interviews this one and Tony yayos we need a part 2 of Sebastian telfer please vlad 🙏🏽

[@onetake721]

The juelz Santana of basketball

[@marilynmonroe5545]

Just asking. What do you mean? Thank you.

[@nuetv3562]

@@marilynmonroe5545young fly flashy and extremely talented & ahead of his time. Suppose to be one of the greatest of all time but his Career didn’t pan out . Just like Juelz Santana

[@DeezzzzzzNuts12]

​@@marilynmonroe5545you the police

[@onetake721]

@@nuetv3562 couldn’t said it better!

[@nuetv3562]

@@onetake721 That was probably the best analogy someone could’ve came up

[@jthawley31]

Your content is real..I have to remember to hit the "like" button but I am subscribed...keep doing your thing big dog..I'm born and raised in the Bronx shit out here gettin worse by the day I aint gonna lie, everything don't make the news out here..if you know you know..keep pushin these videos ya shit reaching the east coast fam..Good work!

[@jpmnky]

This is by far the best interview I’ve seen on Vlad TV. Thanks for all the hard work getting folks from all walks of life to come in and just tell it all.

[@Ksp0626]

Man growing up in the city i always wanted to see a interview of telfair one of my fave players real talk that whole highschool to the nba was awsome to me.

[@kaywest2445]

Best interview in a long time one my favs bazzyyyyyy

[@tiemann55]

Very insightful interview

[@lakerx14]

Great, great interview. I saw Telfair in a tournament here in L.A. while he was in high school. LeBron was playing in the same tournament out at UCLA. I was impressed with his play.

[@2tonechevy05]

One of my favorite players. Good to see him doing well salute!

[@AS-xl9gb]

It’s easy to judge this guy but his situation was very unique. Getting an 8 figure contract right out of high school is ridiculous.

[@DrizzyDre0308]

My nigga… Bron is a billionaire, it’s just a complex Brooklyn dudes have, they care more about the look than the actual game.. they get their shit together whenever they go broke, thats Nyers downfall and I’m from bk..

[@AS-xl9gb]

@@DrizzyDre0308 I agree, but you helped my point; ONLY Lebron can relate to this guy's situation. What other player out of high school got 8 figures before even signing to the league.

[@DrizzyDre0308]

@@AS-xl9gb i got what you’re saying bro, but even with the slim list of HS to the league players I’m sure they cashed in big checks before hitting the league. Dwight Howard was building a house before he even got drafted. Marbury was the only one that actually had a VERY solid career but even he became toxic. It’s a NY thing bro

[@dequanalexander6373]

@@DrizzyDre0308facts I’m not from Newyork I’m from Detroit but being a product of you environment you go spend and forget about the game once you get a little taste of money I know guys in the NBA and NFL from Detroit they all get lost in the sauce

[@arthurswanson3285]

​@@AS-xl9gb kobe had an Adidas deal in high school.

[@coachhbosoccer]

A lot of his story I did know about. But this dude is very knowledgeable and 'sees' it. Respect dude

[@Big7wardnola]

I have followed Sebastián since high-school he's a great young man he just had a lot of bad luck...

[@tnewsome9121]

Not bad luck. Bad decisions but that's life. This is a new chapter for him. He learned and will be ok.

[@charleswarren9944]

This is a really good interview. Nice work VLAD and ST.

[@LIIIIIFE]

BASSY A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SOMEBODY WITH GOD GIVEN TALENT THAT KNEW TO FOLLOW THE RULES BUT DIDNT BECAUSE OF HIS UP BRINGING.

[@ItsYaBoi888]

Wow to this interview 😮

[@GetFreshStupidEnt]

NOW THIS IS A REAL PERSON TALKING, NOT A PR TEAM! REAL DOPE INTERVIEW VLAD. NEED MORE LIKE THIS. SHOUTOUT S.T.💯🎉🎉🎉

[@Cronellishways]

I remember Sebastian, he was a good player, very good in transition and getting to the rim. Excellent passer, too.

[@kevindagame]

ALRIGHT HERE WE GO, THE WHOLE INTERVIEW IS HERE, WELCOME TO VLADTV!!! So this is your first time here, so I wanna start in the very beginning. And that's how we're gonna end it, Sebastian Telair, always a pleasure, until next time PEACE!!!

[@DeezzzzzzNuts12]

Kevin the princess

[@kevindagame]

@@DeezzzzzzNuts12 Dick The Internet Tough Guy

[@freakboy40]

This is why Rick Pitino is a Hall of Fame coach. Great coaches don't promise starting jobs. You have to earn them. Regardless of who you are.

[@BadgerWolf-19]

I remember watching him play as a freshman at addidas showdown 2004. He was a HOOPER HOOPER!

[@dizcosmith6887]

Very good interview

[@Byron4343]

This is one of the best interviews from Vlad in a while.

[@vladtv]

thanks!

[@batchelderstreet]

I agree….. Vlad you had an endearing way of speaking with Telfair. I really enjoyed the whole conversation. I’ve also got a new respect for ST, he has matured in a big way and I’m proud to say he from the Brook….

[@DeezzzzzzNuts12]

Deeznuts

[@hibachi_slim504]

Hope my boy get back up prayers 🙏🏾 🙏🏾🙏🏾 to him.

[@0-blitz]

Damn! At first glance I didn't think this interview would keep my attention, but I watched the entire interview, and was very interested in what Sabastian had experienced growing up, and his career in the NBA.

[@reekreal7953]

I almost skipped it but I’m glad I stayed focused. Great interview

[@rkooscar6866]

Been waiting for the full version on bassy

[@johannesgoody4533]

Great interview

[@Hopper830]

Through the fire was dope.

[@Wjohnson8437]

I actually have that documentary. I used it to motivate my sons to work harder when they were young. I remember Rick Pitino realizing Sebastián would never go to Louisville.

[@juicydroptop3695]

Before the Internet, he was bigger than life when he was in high school

[@missayawk]

The moral of this interview.....When God blesses you with a talent .....work hard, take care of your family and stay humble.

[@brandonmoskos9149]

Love this dude. NYC!

[@slim789]

Great interview 🎥 update on Sebastian 🫡 update ‼️🤞🏾

[@Teeko253]

Used to be my favorite basketball player back in like 05

[@isaacarri]

Great interview Vlad, good research and great questions. Definitely brings back memories of my childhood when Sebastian Telfair was the next big thing

[@Transfixion]

1:06:50 - Sebastian had Vlad remove the segment where he talked about his 2017 weapons charge.

[@cheesun124]

I was wondering what the hell happened there…thanks

[@Dr.JPRoth]

I'm glad he's speaking out on behalf of the athletes

[@visionarystar8957]

Great interview vlad

[@jamiethorpe5431]

Much respect to Telfair. Only seen what the media showed about him, amazing interview. Solid guy. Vlad is the king of missing the point btw... bruh lock in and listen to what he actually saying. Stephon has a statue in China? lmao thats not what Sebastian was talking about bruh.

[@southeastd.c5636]

Notice how vlad was playing devil's advocate,he knew what he was doing.He acts like he has a thumb on black culture and ask certain questions just to trigger the guest

[@bryanbrown8701]

I feel like his down fall was trying to carry everybody with him i think he should have just worried about his immediate family everybody cant go but i can tell he a good dude he reminds me of one of my homies that pass

[@jameswatson6]

Man. He was like an legendary player in nyc

[@austinhawkins8201]

Great interview Vlad. Anybody who grew up hooping 6’0 under looked up to Bassy. He’s a good guy. Hope he finds success in his life ✊🏾

[@tonyharvin]

@djvlad , I would hope you get some AND1 streetball players on here like Hotsauce, Main Event, even James "Speedy" Williams who was number 41 on Above the Rim, even Ed Booger Smith, Lenny Cooke also

[@alibaba0428]

this interview was fire, shout out to all the NY hoopers

[@headedforthegrammys]

Watching highlights thats brooklyn style salute to the dribble

[@lordhelps1]

facts. I am so much better informed by listening to Sebastian. Good Luck young man.

[@startingnew2024]

i don't take anything away from Kobes' on court accomplishments but, the bottom line is he was really was like Mike, meaning very few people liked him off court. Marbury was right. Seems the one thing that he loved having at his disposal is what took him out, the helicopter. By all reports it should have never left the ground that day and wouldn't have for any regular Tom,Dick or Harry.

[@123biggame]

Preciate ya, bruh.

[@Glyric20]

Make sure yall watch his documentary, it’s dope!

[@kreigerbailey3550]

Portland, JAMAICA in the Building!!! 👑🇯🇲🔥💥🌟⭐💯💎

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Right on bassy ❤

[@kiie5351]

BFB da packman sent me here

[@jaykeepingupwithcelebs]

facts 😂

[@COZMOFIRM]

Facts😅

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Same person ❤

[@heartcoldxtra7909]

Good interview he is a smart man

[@moneyloccchannel75]

I 👍 this footage 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@HakeemTheDream616]

We don't really have high school Superstar's anymore like they had back in his day.

[@waynejr7068]

Love Telfair went to a Bulls game against Boston just to see him play

[@QueenNowlin]

Hmmm, this video was filmed on 2017. Did we all not hear him say the year?. However. Wonderful interview

[@chancecooper9246]

If Sebastian had went to College and developed his Jumper, he woulda be a great NBA player. I loved watching him in High School.

[@eastnjman368]

Facts 😭. Everything facts

[@joshua-nf3rx]

All respect to this kid- Great player , 10 years in the league BUT when him and so many others cry about money If you play 5 years in the league and make 5 million which is nothing for the league - For a regular person making 100k it would take you 50 years to make that - FACTS With that being said I like this kid- dude is smart. Hope he makes it happen for himself

[@maxbilly247]

Easier said then done... theres a reason why its a common thing amongst ppl who get a substantial amount of money and lose it .. coming from nothing

[@joshua-nf3rx]

@@maxbilly247 actually it is that easy. I mean literally that easy . I know plenty of people who come from nothing who know how to create some sort of budget and understanding of the most basic of financial literacy. IMO it’s insulting to the inner city communities to even suggest it’s difficult to not blow millions of dollars He and some others just messed up. They messed up big time. They should just own it n keep it moving . He’s a smart kid

[@derekmusic5753]

I really don't watch you Vlad but this was on point🎬

[@williamjennings5381]

That last part of the interview literally flew over Vlad head. S.T. really started talking some real shit and this man Vlad was still talking about Championships and shit 🤣

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Make the basketball make sense ❤

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Yal dont know how hard it is for a point guard from highschool to adapt to the nba ❤

[@raymondsmith2713]

What happened at 1:36:35 Did they bleep out his answer?

[@ncnyc4418]

I grew up studying bassy and Shawne Livingston n the slam magazines,watch through the fire a million times…to see how his career turned out is proof that education is more valuable than money

[@originoomwizi]

Never seen through the fire..need to check it out

[@ncnyc4418]

@@originoomwizi best bball documentary ever imo, now that I’m adult with a clearer understanding of how things go in life bassy overachieved professionally, the movie shows how he was treated and behaved more like a rapper than a athlete

[@deja_vaudou]

Someone help where can I watch through the fire online for free at?

[@DeezzzzzzNuts12]

Deeznuts

[@chasemillionsmiami]

Adidas like " what you got your chain snatched. And didnt get your chain back you making us look soft give us that check back "

[@DeezzzzzzNuts12]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@robertrudick2492]

Real down to earth guy. Tells the truth about big business 😂. You must be educated + let no one use you. He should have taken the $ and educate himself. I would have made him get educated. He had great criminal attorneys. God bless him.

[@errolwilsonvillep6774]

Humble decision making being discipline

[@marvellhudson3792]

Adidas, give Sebastian a lifetime contract. Do for him, like Reebok did for Allen. He can move your numbers. Let's go! 🙏🏾

[@Vinnnyyy]

The universe sent him to the nba and by doing so he saved the lives of his family and who knows how many others

[@nardotechm5317]

My boy 😁🫶🏽🫡

[@alex-re8jk]

legend fr

[@Kasino_Kev93]

49:51 Vlad lowkey tried to play em

[@realchosen1174]

Hell yea I read your comment first he talking bout 9 points again best career as a pro

[@josephsteward781]

He didn't mention Lenny Cook from Bushwick

[@KatoOnTheTrack1]

Too much victim blaming. He actually makes NBA players seem not as smart as they’re already portrayed.

[@SR-hf3hx]

The interview was so great because i kept waiting to see who else he was gonna blame for his issues and failures. And i wasnt disappointed lol he took 0 responsibility

[@Spacesprocketz]

He really sat here and said " what they pull me over for?? If they didn't pull me over they would've never knew I had the guns".

[@_OT9]

He took some responsibility by letting you know he wasn’t educated in some areas and was living a lifestyle that was wasting money instead of investing money it’s his fault but also the people that was around him fault his said he wish he would of stayed cool with jay z because jay would of guided him in the right direction but he does feel like he wasn’t wrong about a lot of things because he doesn’t wanna live with regret

[@SR-hf3hx]

@@Spacesprocketz exactly

[@SR-hf3hx]

@@_OT9 that's not responsible...admitting you don't know something is admirable but you need to make right decisions then

[@kaybee5445]

Just a victim throughout the whole interview

[@restlessjay6260]

Why does he sound like a spoiled brat about loosing that deal with adidas like he still wasn’t making millions? Sounds very entitled as if the nba is SUPPOSED to take care of all the family members he felt like he had to support. Like man I wish he was a lil more humble in that time & enjoyed living his dream in real time. People make mistakes but there are consequences for your decisions & subconsciously loosing that deal was one but you were still an NBA player

[@Edward-ow1rb]

Stef wasn't hating he was looking out for you ..Jay dropped you cause you didn't transition to the pro game like LeBron did

[@easy8325]

He even said when Scarface the rapper got caught with a gun in nyc Jay told baddy to never ride with guns and he didn’t listen.

[@TheQubilah]

💯💯💯

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

And Shaq and Big J ❤

[@user-qr4gm2wq7q]

Super genius ❤

[@JosephTaylor-gm6jo]

Bro, my condolences to ya mama and brother fa' ya loss! I'm an only child and lost my mother and then my father five years later! That's tough! Ya never get over that! Ya paid ya dues but learned from that! Truly it's really da only true way ya learn from it! Ya gotta go thru it! Knowledge is truly a mother fucker! Nuff Said!