43 year old, former NBA All Star, went from working to win championships to working to become manager at his local Starbucks. His story is a classic triumph to tragedy tale. Baker ended his career as a Clipper in 2006. He was a four time NBA All Star and Olympic gold-medal winner. He earned an estimated $100 million in his career.
As Vin Baker’s professional career ended, things began to go downhill. He battled alcoholism and a series of financial setbacks, ranging from a failed investments into his restaurant, losing his home, suing his accountant for mismanaging his money and the obvious — simply having too many hands dipping into his cookie jar. Before he knew it, most of his $100 million fortune was gone.
Now four years sober and a married father of four, Baker is not only a minister at his father’s church, but is also training to manage a Starbucks franchise. “In this company there are opportunities for everyone. I have an excellent situation here at Starbucks and the people are wonderful,” he tells the Providence Journal.
Baker hasn’t completely left basketball in his past. Recently his former teammate, Jason Kidd, invited him to work with the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff in the Las Vegas summer league.
