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03/29/2024 03:27:52 am

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NBA News & Rumors: Ex-Hoops Star Vin Baker Who Lost His Fortune Now Bouncing Back as a Starbucks Barista

Vin Baker

(Photo : Getty Images/Jed Jacobsohn)

Four-time NBA All-Star Vin Baker is now working as a Starbucks barista to bounce from from a series of misfortunes that saw him lost nearly $100 million in earnings.

Like many other NBA players he was eventually a victim of financial mismanagement that caused him to lose his home and businesses, according to the Providence Journal.

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He has since sued his accountant with favorable results, but it would not recover the millions that were squandered.

It was reported by The Score a couple of years back that he was selling his Olympic gold medal from the 2000 Games in Sydney. The medal had minimum bid of $35,000.

It was not clear back then why Baker was selling the medal but his financial struggles was already reported.

Needing a job to support his four children Baker then took to another drink--coffee--to make ends meet.

But he's not stopping at being a barista in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, of course.

With the help of Starbucks CEO, who was the former owner of his ex-team, the Sonics, me may be dabbling in retail management soon as a store manager. 

Baker, who has been sober for the past four years, said that Starbucks provides many opportunities for everyone and that he has an excellent situation in the company where people are wonderful.

He said that what happened taught his a valuable lesson that whatever financial level one has achieved, it all could be lost.

Baker also wants to show that there is still success for ex-NBA players like him after their careers are over and even after they had lost everything they earned from playing.

In his prime, Baker could be seen playing in the All-Star games from 1995 to 1998 and representing the United States in the 2000 Olympics.

The 6'11"  power forward suited up for Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle Super Sonics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics in the NBA. 

However, alcoholism began to rear its ugly head late in his career leading to three suspensions imposed by the Celtics before eventually terminating his contract with nearly $35 million left.

However, he is still involved with basketball in some capacity while he works as a barista.

Baker was part of the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff in the recent Las Vegas Summer League and joined Dennis Rodman's group of ex-NBA players who showed action in North Korea last year, according to CNN

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