From Court to Career: The Surprising New Jobs NBA Stars Are Thriving In Today
Latrell Sprewell – Pitchman
Latrell Sprewell has always been a controversial name. Considered a superstar when he played, he marred his career by violently attacking Warriors head coach P.J. Carlesimo in 1997. After retiring in 2005, karma struck back. Sprewell was forced to foreclose his multi-million dollar houses and crashed his yacht.
All the drama led Sprewell to his new job, being a pitchman for Priceline. As part of his pitch to use the service, Sprewell admits to making bad life decisions. Hopefully he has actually learned his lesson.
Wilt Chamberlain – Everything
Wilt Chamberlain retired from the NBA in 1973. At the time, he was the greatest to ever lace up on the court. After he retired, Chamberlain dipped his toes into every job pool possible, trying to find out what was right for him.
Ultimately, he ended up settling into life as a pitchman. Sadly, Chamberlain passed away in 1999 from heart failure. He might be gone, but his memory lives on forever, both in his highlight reel and his commercials.
Gilbert Arenas – Analyst
Gilbert Arenas was not supposed to be as great of an NBA player as he was. He was drafted with the 31st pick in the 2001 Draft and ended up earning $163 million over his career. You’d think after retiring he’d refuse to work another day in his life.
Not Arenas. We guess he likes the grind. Since retiring we wouldn’t say he has gone full 9-5, but he has stayed business as a sports analyst for Complex. He currently hosts a YouTube sports show for them.
Kenny Anderson – Camp Director
Kenny Anderson was comfortably living his life as a high school basketball coach when it all came crashing down. In 2013, he was arrested and charge with a DUI. The crime got him fired from his job.
It took him a while to rebound, but these days Anderson makes his living running basketball camps in Florida. He also still coaches, working in basketball travel league. His big goal is to get back into high school coaching, but he knows he can’t rebuild his reputation over night.
Jay Williams – Spokesman
Jay Williams was supposed to be one of the best to ever play in the NBA. Drafted by the Bulls, the hype around the young star was real. Sadly, before his career even began, Williams got into a motorcycle accident. The Bulls cut him and his career was over.
Since overcoming the tragic loss of his career, Williams has become a spokesman. He is currently the face of Visions Federal Credit Union. He also works on the side for ESPN as a college basketball analyst.
Antoine Walker – Financial Advisor
Antoine Walker made a lot of money over his NBA career. In 13 seasons, he made over $100 million. Of course, he still somehow managed to spend more money than he ad and filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
Three years later, Walker paid off his debts and began his second career. He took a job with Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment to teach financial literacy to up and coming stars. Who better to learn from than the man who realized it was a problem to own seven luxury vehicles at one time?
Adam Morrison – Coach
Adam Morrison’s promising NBA career was put on hold when he tore his ACL in 2007. Although he recovered, he never become more than a role player on the Los Angeles Lakers. After he retired, Morrison made the decision to go back to school.
Not only did Morrison enroll at Gonzaga to finish his degree in sports management, he also took a position on the basketball team’s coaching staff. Since joining the Zags, Morrison has moved quickly up the college coaching ranks.
Rony Seikaly – DJ
Rony Seikaly had a very successful 11 year NBA career. Upon retiring, he embarked on his second life as a DJ. Unlike some former players who failed to find success after the NBA as entertainers, Seikaly was a natural at his new job.
Since transitioning, Seikaly has played clubs in Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Ibiza. He says he never intended to become a full time DJ, but “the opportunity came organically and it seemed like it would be fun and it grew from there.”
John Stockton – Basketball Coach
During his career in the NBA, John Stockton was known as one part of a dynamic duo with Karl Malone. He was known for his unselfish outlook on basketball always more willing to part of an assist rather than score the basket for himself.
After retiring from the NBA in 2003, although he decided to give up playing professionally, he didn’t leave basketball behind entirely. While he was the assistant coach for the Montana State University Women’s Basketball team, he more regularly coaches numerous youth basketball teams.
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