Vin Baker (Photo : REUTERS)
Ex-NBA All-Star Vin Baker who lost nearly $100 million and whose career was cut short by alcoholism is now bouncing back by working as a Starbucks barista in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Being a father of four, Baker knew he had to try to bounce back and found a job at Starbucks, according to Providence Journal.
With the help of former Seattle Supersonics owner and Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz, Baker hopes to be a store manager soon.
The 43-year-old Baker won Olympic gold in 2000, played in four NBA All-Star Games from 1995 to 1998 and spent 13 years in the pros.
His tour of duty had him playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Los Anegles Clippers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, where he scored and rebounded against the best in the league.
However, alcoholism cut short his career.
The Celtics suspended the 6'11" power forward three times and eventually terminated his contract with still nearly $35 million remaining.
Then financial mismanagement and a failed business venture shattered his once prosperous life. He lost his home, a development business and his restaurant, Vinnie's Saybrook Fish House.
In 2012 he sued his accountant, Donald S. Brodeur, for mismanagement and breach of contract.
While the case was resolved "somewhat favorably" for him, he needed to work to support his family, Fox Sports reported.
Baker said that what happened showed a valuable lesson--that regardless of what financial level one is at, things like could happen--and it's important to be aware of that.
He is also a church minister and his life is a story he could share to church members about trying to bounce back in life.
He also wants to show that there could still be success after losing everything he gained as an NBA player.
Baker also gets involved in basketball and recently accepted an invitation from ex-teammate Jason Kidd to work with the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff in the Las Vegas Summer League.
