15 NBA Rookies Who Went Broke Instantly

The journey to the NBA is often seen as a ticket to financial freedom, but for many young athletes, this dream can quickly turn into a financial nightmare.

Here are the stories of 15 NBA rookies who faced financial ruin soon after entering the league.

1. Chris Washburn

Drafted: 1986, 3rd overall by the Golden State Warriors.
Downfall: Struggled with substance abuse and was banned from the NBA for life. He went from a promising player to begging for food.

2. Javaris Crittenton

Drafted: 2007, 19th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Downfall: Involved in a gun-related incident with teammate Gilbert Arenas, leading to a lengthy prison sentence. His gang affiliations and legal troubles drained his finances.

3. Robert Swift

Drafted: 2004 by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Downfall: Career cut short by injuries and substance abuse. He ended up homeless and living in a foreclosed mansion filled with trash.

4. Reggie Harding

Drafted: 1962 by the Detroit Pistons.
Downfall: Struggled with drugs and violent behavior, leading to multiple team changes and a tragic end when he was killed in a robbery.

5. Darius Miles

Drafted: 2000, 3rd overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Downfall: Injuries ended his career early, and poor financial decisions led to bankruptcy. He has since attempted to rebuild his life through a podcast.

6. Michael Ray Richardson

Drafted: 1978, 4th overall by the New York Knicks.
Downfall: Banned from the NBA due to repeated drug violations. His lavish lifestyle and poor financial management led to significant debt.

7. Delonte West

Drafted: 2004 by the Boston Celtics.
Downfall: Struggled with bipolar disorder and substance abuse, leading to financial ruin and homelessness. Mark Cuban helped him get back on track.

8. Jay Vincent

Drafted: 1981 by the Dallas Mavericks.
Downfall: Caught running a fake job training scheme, leading to prison time and financial ruin.

9. Eddie Curry

Drafted: 2001, 4th overall by the Chicago Bulls.
Downfall: Reckless spending and poor financial advice resulted in bankruptcy. Personal tragedies further complicated his financial situation.

10. Antoine Walker

Drafted: 1996, 6th overall by the Boston Celtics.
Downfall: Lavish spending and a gambling addiction led to bankruptcy, despite earning over $18 million during his career.

11. Vin Baker

Drafted: 1993 by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Downfall: Struggled with alcohol addiction, which affected his career and finances, leading to bankruptcy.

12. Shawn Kemp

Drafted: 1989 by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Downfall: Financial troubles due to child support obligations and poor investments led to bankruptcy.

13. Joe Smith

Drafted: 1995, 1st overall by the Golden State Warriors.
Downfall: Financial missteps and a hidden loan scandal led to bankruptcy, despite earning over $60 million in his career.

14. Bison Dele (Brian Williams)

Drafted: 1996 by the Orlando Magic.
Downfall: Walked away from basketball and lived lavishly but disappeared under mysterious circumstances, raising questions about his finances.

15. Rick Mahorn

Drafted: 1980 by the Detroit Pistons.
Downfall: After a successful career, Mahorn faced foreclosure and bankruptcy due to failed business ventures.

Conclusion

These stories illustrate that financial literacy and management are crucial for athletes, especially those who suddenly come into large sums of money.

Many of these players faced personal struggles that compounded their financial issues, highlighting the importance of support systems and education on financial matters.