BREAKING NEWS!!! 15 NBA Rookies Who Went Broke Overnight: Jaw-Dropping Stories of Young Stars Losing Their Fortunes Instantly After Entering the League
The Rise and Fall: 15 NBA Rookies Who Went Broke
Money, fame, and the big leagues—every young baller’s dream. But for some NBA rookies, that dream turned into a financial nightmare. Today, we’re diving deep into the shocking stories of 15 NBA rookies who went broke—from Antoine Walker, who lost millions trying to help everyone around him, to Delonte West, whose struggles took him from courtside to heartbreaking headlines. These are the players who saw it all slip away. How did they fall so fast? Let’s break it down.
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Chris Washburn: From Prodigy to Penniless
Chris Washburn’s life began with so much promise. Born in 1966, he was a basketball prodigy—a towering figure with raw talent that made him a high school standout. His skills earned him a spot at North Carolina State University, but trouble showed up early. Just seven games into his freshman season, he was caught stealing a stereo and got suspended. Still, his talent kept NBA scouts interested. In 1986, the Golden State Warriors took a gamble, picking Washburn third overall. Expectations were sky-high, but his rookie season was a disaster. He was late to practices, missed team commitments, and soon found himself struggling with substance abuse.
He recalls, “Everyone was getting ready for practice, and I was in the projects, smoking crack. I’d leave straight from there to practice or a game, my heart already racing from the cocaine.” Rehab came early and often, setting the tone for a career defined by addiction. Even after being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, things didn’t improve. Multiple relapses led the NBA to ban him for life, ending his career and sending him on a downward spiral. The money dried up fast. His luxurious home was sold, and soon he was begging for food and money from friends in Atlanta.
Javaris Crittenton: Talent Lost to Violence
Javaris Crittenton’s story is equally tragic. Raised in Atlanta by a hardworking mother, he was a basketball prodigy from a young age. After starring at Georgia Tech, he was drafted 19th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007. But things unraveled in Washington after a heated argument with teammate Gilbert Arenas over a card game. Both brought guns into the locker room, earning season-long suspensions. Crittenton returned to Atlanta and fell in with the wrong crowd, joining the Mansfield Crips gang. In 2011, he was charged with the death of a woman in a gang-related incident and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Lavish spending, poor financial planning, and no backup plan left him broke and forgotten.
Robert Swift: From Mansion to Homelessness
Robert Swift’s journey is one of highs and devastating lows. A small-town prodigy drafted straight out of high school by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2004, Swift’s career was derailed by injuries and poor performance. He earned $11 million over four seasons, but his flashy lifestyle—cars, mansions, and more—was unsustainable. When his career ended, the money vanished quickly. Addiction took hold, and by 2013, Swift was living in a foreclosed mansion filled with trash, alcohol, and drugs. Homelessness and legal troubles followed, including an arrest for possessing a sawed-off shotgun. With no financial literacy or backup plan, his life unraveled.
Reggie Harding: Promise Cut Short
Growing up in Detroit, Reggie Harding was a natural talent—a 7-footer who dominated on the court. Drafted by the Pistons in 1962, his career started strong. But off the court, drugs, alcohol, and legal issues dragged him down. His violent behavior and bad reputation overshadowed his skills. After a fatal shooting incident and time in prison, Harding’s life ended in tragedy—killed in a robbery at just 26.
Darius Miles: From Millions to Bankruptcy
Darius Miles grew up in East St. Louis, using basketball as an escape. Drafted third overall in 2000, he earned $66 million in seven seasons. Luxury homes, fast cars, and Hollywood roles followed, but the dream didn’t last. Knee injuries forced early retirement. Miles’s spending habits didn’t change, and failed investments—including a botched real estate deal—drained his fortune. He filed for bankruptcy in 2016, listing over $1.5 million in debt. Selling memorabilia to stay afloat, Miles now co-hosts the “Knuckleheads” podcast, sharing lessons from his rise and fall.
Michael Ray Richardson: Banned for Life
Drafted fourth overall in 1978, Michael Ray Richardson quickly became a Knicks star. But the fast life of New York led him to drugs. By the mid-80s, substance abuse had derailed his career. Repeated violations of the NBA’s drug policy led to a lifetime ban in 1986. Without basketball, his income vanished, debts piled up, and his life spiraled out of control.
Delonte West: Public Struggles
Delonte West made a name for himself with the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Mavericks, earning $16 million. But bipolar disorder, lavish spending, and substance abuse left him destitute. By 2020, videos showed him homeless and begging. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stepped in to help, but recovery has been a long, difficult road.
Jay Vincent: Crime and Consequence
Jay Vincent played nine NBA seasons, but after retirement, he was caught running a fake job training scheme. Convicted of fraud and tax evasion, he spent time in federal prison and later worked at a burger joint—far from NBA glory.
Eddie Curry: From Riches to Ruin
Eddie Curry went straight from high school to the NBA, earning $70 million. But reckless spending, high-interest loans, and financial mismanagement left him broke. Personal tragedies and injuries compounded his struggles, but Curry is now working to rebuild and help others avoid his mistakes.
Antoine Walker: Too Generous for His Own Good
Antoine Walker was a star, earning over $108 million in his career. Lavish mansions, luxury cars, and generosity toward friends and family led to financial ruin. Poor investments and a gambling addiction pushed him into bankruptcy with $12.7 million in debt. Walker has since become an advocate for financial literacy.
Vin Baker: Addiction and Redemption
Vin Baker, a four-time All-Star, earned over $100 million. But a lavish lifestyle, risky investments, and alcoholism led to bankruptcy. Baker fought his addiction and now coaches youth basketball, hoping to help others avoid his mistakes.
Shawn Kemp: The Rainman’s Downfall
Six-time All-Star Shawn Kemp earned $90 million, but risky investments, child support for seven children, and legal battles led to bankruptcy. Kemp now runs a marijuana dispensary and works with youth, trying to turn his life around.
Joe Smith: Secret Deals, Public Disaster
Joe Smith, the 1995 top pick, earned over $60 million. Bad investments, lavish spending, and a secret $80 million loan scandal ruined his finances and reputation. After bankruptcy, Smith now speaks out about the importance of financial management.
Bison Dele (Brian Williams): Mystery at Sea
Bison Dele lived a life of adventure after walking away from $36 million still owed to him. In 2002, he disappeared in the South Pacific—likely killed by his brother over money. His mysterious end remains one of sports’ most chilling tales.
Rick Mahorn: Even the Tough Can Fall
Rick Mahorn helped the Pistons win two NBA championships and earned $27 million. But failed business ventures and bad investments led to foreclosure and bankruptcy. Mahorn remains involved in basketball as a coach and broadcaster, but financial struggles linger.
