Retirement does not necessarily mean the end of an NBA star’s thriving career. It can also give the athlete a promising start for a second life. Some of them couldn’t resist the limelight and moved on to establish their television careers. Others, however, used the money they earned from the NBA to invest in a much more regular line of work. Their stories are amazing, and we can’t wait to share what these retired NBA stars are doing now for their 9-5 jobs!
LaRue Martin: UPS Community Services Manager
In 1972, LaRue Martin was the first overall NBA Draft pick. When he started out, he was full of potential but it seemed to have dried up over the four years of his NBA career and he was let go. Since he still had to make a living after his NBA career, he took an entry-level job at UPS. His hard work and dedication paid off in 2005 when he was promoted to Community Services Manager. Aside from being busy doing his full-time 9-5 job, he is also part of the board of directors of the National Basketball Retired Players Association or NBRPA.
LaRue Martin: UPS Community Services Manager
Mark Blount: Franchise Owner of Auntie Anne’s
Mark Blount entered the NBA in 1997, but he officially debuted in 2001, as one of the players for the Celtics. After his amazing run in the NBA, he retired in 2009. The money he earned in the league was then invested into two franchise stores of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Actually, he is not the only former NBA player who loves Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Shaq is also another proud franchisee of the staple snack stand. So, next time you buy a pretzel at the mall, check out who is working behind the stand – you might be lucky to catch one of these two!
Mark Blount: Franchise Owner of Auntie Anne’s
Dan Dickau: Owner Of A Barbershop
Dan Dickau is one of the best basketball players in Gonzaga University’s history. However, this talent did not seem to translate into the NBA. His career as a professional basketball player only reached six years. He didn’t have a choice but to find another job. This former basketball star decided to earn money by opening The Barbers in Washington. This barbershop became a favorite spot for the locals. Aside from running his barbershop, he has also appeared on the Pac-12 Network and was featured on ESPN Radio.
Dan Dickau: Owner Of A Barbershop
Bryant Reeves: Cattle Farmer
Bryant Reeves, who is otherwise known as Big Country, quit playing in the NBA due to the numerous and severe injuries that he had acquired while playing in the league. He moved on to live a tranquil life raising cattle on a farm. He seems to have found success in this field. Now, he owns and runs his cattle ranch in Oklahoma which sits on a 300-acre land area, which makes his NBA nickname more appropriate. Reeves may have had dreams of playing in the league while he was growing up, but he seems quite settled in the life that he has now.
Bryant Reeves: Cattle Farmer
Vin Baker: Manager At A Starbucks
Vin Baker enjoyed a long and successful career in the NBA – 13 years to be more specific! However, he lost the fortune that he earned in the NBA while he was fighting alcoholism. Today, he works as a manager at Starbucks as well as a church minister. He is aware of people’s opinion regarding his job at Starbucks but he is okay with it. He explained, “I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had a great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they’re like ‘Wow.’ For me, I’m 43 and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces.”
Vin Baker: Manager At A Starbucks
Greg Oden: Student
Greg Oden joined the Portland Trailblazers in 2007 and was the first overall draft pick. He was selected by the Portland Trailblazers because they hoped that he would be the face of the franchise. His career was injury-laden and had him playing a total of 23 games in the NBA. His retirement was due to some chronic foot problems. After his NBA stint, he went back to the academic world and worked as the student manager at Ohio State’s men’s basketball. The said position allowed him to go back to school, take some classes, and eventually transition into a new career.
Greg Oden: Student
Adrian Dantley: School Crossing Guard
Adrian Dantley had an amazing career in the NBA that went on for 15 long years. He did not only record some 23,000 points, but he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dantley had worked as a coach before finally leaving the NBA in 2010. He, later on, became a crossing guard at a school. This job is obviously not as illustrious as his last one and the salary is also one of the lowest ($14,000 a year), so it is safe to say that the pay is not Dantley’s motivation for taking the job. He has mentioned that he likes helping people. We think it’s good that he gets to do what he likes and it seems like the job’s health benefits are not too bad either.
Adrian Dantley: School Crossing Guard
Detleft Schrempf: Business Development Officer
Detlef Schrempf majored in International Business in college and he put this degree to good use after playing in the NBA for 16 years. He became Coldstream Capital Management’s business development officer. Aside from working at his 9-5 job, he has also dabbed in acting. He got a recurring role on the popular show Parks and Recreation.
Detleft Schrempf: Business Development Officer
Brandon Roy: Basketball Coach At A High School
Brandon Roy, according to many analysts, could have had an NBA career that would earn him a Hall of Fame spot if he had not gotten all those nasty knee injuries. Roy didn’t have a choice but to retire young as his knee never really recovered from the said injuries. After leaving the NBA, he first tried to work in broadcasting but it didn’t quite suit him. In 2016, Nathan High School offered him the head coach job for their boys’ basketball team and he took it. In his first season as head coach, the team had a perfect 29-0 record which got him the Naismith High School Basketball Coach of the Year Award.
Brandon Roy: Basketball Coach At A High School
Shandon Anderson: Owner Of A Vegetarian Restaurant
Shandon Anderson was one of Miami Heat’s star players in 2006 and helped the team win the NBA Championship that year. After retiring from the NBA, Anderson literally started over as he went back to school to become a vegetarian chef with plans of opening his own restaurant someday. His internship was actually at one of the most popular vegan restaurants in New York – Candle 79. He, later on, opened ‘Drink Art’ in Atlanta after he finished his internship. Drink Art offers a variety of Thai vegetarian meals. Sadly, he had to close it after one year of operation.
Shandon Anderson: Owner Of A Vegetarian Restaurant
Scottie Pippen: Livestock Farmer
Did you know that Scottie Pippen struggled a lot in accepting the fact that he’s retired? As one of the best Chicago Bulls’ players of all time, Pippen retired in 2004. However, he immediately regretted it and tried to make a comeback in the league for the next few years, wanting to get a seventh ring. After realizing that there will be no comeback for him, he started another career with his brother. They both co-own a livestock farm in Arkansas. In addition, Pippen still makes appearances on television a few times a year.
Scottie Pippen: Livestock Farmer
Charlie Ward: Head Coach At A High School
Not everyone knows that Charlie Ward used to be a football player for Florida State. He even won the Heisman Trophy. Unfortunately, he was not drafted in the NFL. He, later on, played in the NBA and had 11 seasons. For most of his NBA career, he played for the New York Knicks before eventually retiring in 2005. He then moved on to do his other passion – coaching. Although he didn’t get to coach professional or college basketball, he did become a high school basketball coach. He eventually got the head coach position at the Booker T. Washington High School in 2005.
Charlie Ward: Head Coach At A High School
Karl Malone: Truck Driver
Karl Malone had a legendary NBA career, which definitely earned him more than enough money that he did not have to work a day in his life ever again. However, ever since he left the professional basketball scene, he has invested his hard-earned money on several businesses, including a timber hauling business. Interestingly, his purpose for the company is both for business and pleasure. He is even a part-time truck driver for the said company. People around him say that he has grown passionate for the said industry.
Karl Malone: Truck Driver
Vinnie Johnson: CEO Of The Piston Group Manufacturing Company
Vinnie Johnson is remembered by many fans as one of NBA’s “Bad Boys.” He played for the Detroit Pistons when he won the Championship in both 1989 and 1990. After his retirement in 2002, he found what he is really meant to do and created the Piston Group, which started out as a small manufacturing company but has since become a multi-million-dollar company. Today, Johnson still works as the Piston Group’s CEO and has more than proven that he is not just a superstar in the NBA, he is a superstar in real life, too!
Vinnie Johnson: CEO Of The Piston Group Manufacturing Company
Darko Milicic: Apple Grower
Darko Milicic would often refer to himself as the NBA’s all-time biggest draft bust, most likely because, in 2003, he was the second overall draft pick. Milicic pretty much jumped from one team to another in the league before joining the Celtics. He later on retired in 2012. Now, he is living a quiet life, living in Serbia and growing apples on his farm which sits on 123 acres of land. Although he briefly gave kickboxing a try, the violent sports did not really suit him and he had to give it up and live a peaceful lie walking up and down his rows of apple trees.
Darko Milicic: Apple Grower
Oscar Robertson: Advocate For Affordable Housing
Oscar Robertson is an NBA superstar who has had an incredible 14-year run in the NBA. During that time, he had been an NBA all-star 12 times and he became one of the league’s highest-scoring guards. However, what can be considered as his greatest accomplishment is his work in making affordable houses for African-Americans in Indianapolis. The University of Cincinnati honored him for all his outstanding work to improve the community by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters way back in 2007. In his free time, this NBA legend also enjoys woodworking.
Oscar Robertson: Advocate For Affordable Housing
Michael Ray Richardson: Substitute Teacher
Michael “Sugar” Ray Richardson had a two-decade professional basketball career. In case you haven’t noticed, that’s 24 years! While he did start in the NBA, he also played in other leagues, most of them in Europe, for over a decade. The NBA commissioner banned Richardson from playing in the NBA for the rest of his life. However, in 1988, he was reinstated. In 2002, he retired from playing basketball and turned to coaching, doing it for a few years until he found substitute teaching, his second and new-found love. Richardson is now in his 60s but he still teaches in Oklahoma and does basketball camps for kids who are underprivileged.
Michael Ray Richardson: Substitute Teacher
Shawn Kemp: Owner Of A Sports Bar
After Shawn Kemp’s retirement in 2003, he couldn’t really stay away from the game. So, he decided to open his very own sports bar named Oskar’s Kitchen, in Seattle. It was a brave step for this former basketball player, and he kept the business going as long as he could afford to pay the rent. However, he eventually had to give it up in 2015. Despite this setback, he continues to work in the field of hospitality as he is part owner of the Seattle restaurant, Amber’s Kitchen.
Shawn Kemp: Owner Of A Sports Bar
Tim Duncan: Car Shop Owner & MMA
Tim Duncan surprised many people when it became known that he had been training in the MMA. However, it shouldn’t be such a surprise since the former NBA star has been doing it since 2009. Although he considers his training as “just” a hobby, his trainer said that he actually has a lot of potential for the said sport and that he is “a legit contender” as well as “a monster.” While things look promising for him in the MMA, he continues to keep himself busy running the BlackJack – an auto body shop that he opened with his partner way back in 2013. The shop was instrumental in the delivery of supplies to Hurricane Harvey’s victims in 2017.
Tim Duncan: Car Shop Owner & MMA
Chris Andersen AKA Birdman: Big3 Player
Chris Andersen, also known as Birdman, was a player in the NBA for 18 seasons. His nickname came from the tattoos all over his body. This 6’8″ giant currently plays in a professional 3-on-3 basketball league, the Big3. Former NBA players and international players make up the league.
Chris Andersen AKA Birdman: Big3 Player
Derrick Coleman: Supplier Of Drinking Water
Despite the fact that Derrick Coleman spent 15 long years playing in the NBA, his coaches still called him lazy. However, they couldn’t probably say the same thing about the way he has led his life post-retirement. He has tirelessly worked to make sure that water is delivered to families in need. He drives around in Flint, Michigan to see if the locals have the clean drinking water that they need. Coleman said, “That’s what I’m seeing. Distress. I’m seeing people who need help. I’ve seen the rust and everything that’s in their water. Flint is like a ghost town, and it’s sad… How can this happen here in America?”
Derrick Coleman: Supplier Of Drinking Water
Steve Francis: Businessman
Steve Francis played in the NBA for nine seasons and after he retired from the league, he has since done projects on his other passions. One of the said passions is music which led him to create the Mezerati Music. Although this attempt to start his very own hip-hop record label was not very successful, it did lead the way to his next project. After creating Mazerati Music, he went on to start his own clothing line called We R One. Sadly, all his passion projects are on hold as of the moment as he is still sorting through some financial difficulties.
Steve Francis: Businessman
Dennis Rodman: Political Ambassador
Dennis Rodman is an NBA icon who just loves getting attention, thus his boisterous personality. He has stayed in the spotlight even after his retirement from the league. Although Dennis Rodman has avoided getting a 9-5 job, his career path after the NBA is so strange that we couldn’t help but include it here. After leaving the NBA, he tried going into professional wrestling, but when he couldn’t do it anymore, he tried another job – political ambassador. In 2013, he went to North Korea for the first time and when he got back, he said that Kim Jong Un was a “friend for life.” He went on another North Korean trip in 2017.
Dennis Rodman: Political Ambassador
Latrell Sprewell: Commercial Actor
Latrell Sprewell has always been controversial. He was considered a superstar in the league while he was still playing in the NBA. However, his professional career was marred when he attacked the Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo in 1997. After his retirement in 2005, he had some bad karma when his yacht crashed and his house (that cost him millions) was foreclosed. After all that, he appeared in a Priceline commercial. In the ad, you will see him admit to making some bad decisions. We sure hope that he has, indeed, learned his lessons.
Latrell Sprewell: Commercial Actor
Wilt Chamberlain: Practically Everything
Wilt Chamberlain retired in 1973 and at the time, he was actually the greatest basketball player to have ever played in the NBA. After his retirement, he practically tried every job possible to see which one was right for him. He then finally settled into becoming a pitchman. Sadly, Chamberlain died in 1999 due to heart failure, but his memory will live on in his highlight reel and his commercials.
Wilt Chamberlain: Practically Everything
Gilbert Arenas: Sports Analyst
People did not really think that Gilbert Arenas would be the great player that he was. In the NBA Draft in 2001, he was the 31stt pick. However, he ended up bagging up to $163 million in his career. You might expect that he stopped working after retirement, but our guess is that he enjoys working. He may not have a full 9-5 job, but he is still active in the business. He works as a sports analyst on Complex and even hosts their sports show on YouTube.
Gilbert Arenas: Sports Analyst
Kenny Anderson – Camp Director
Kenny Anderson also took a coaching job after he left the NBA. However, he got arrested for DUI in 2013 which caused him to lose his job. Although it took him some time to recover from it, he has since bounced back and is now running basketball camps in the state of Florida. He also resumed coaching, working in travel leagues. Anderson aims to get back to coaching a high school basketball team, but he knows that it takes time for him to restore his reputation.
Kenny Anderson – Camp Director
Jay Williams: Spokesperson
Jay Williams would have been one of the best basketball players in the league as the hype about him at the time was real. He was, in fact, drafted by the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, his career ended before it ever began. Williams was in a motorcycle accident and the Bulls had to let him go, which immediately put a stop to his promising career. After overcoming such a terrible loss in his career, he has since become a motivational speaker. He has also become the face of Visions Federal Credit Union as well as become a spokesperson for various organizations. In addition, he also works for ESPN as a college basketball analyst.
Jay Williams: Spokesperson
Antoine Walker: Financial Advisor
Antoine Walker obviously made a lot of money throughout his career in the NBA. He reportedly got around $100 million during the 13 seasons he has played in the league. However, he apparently spent all of the money he earned that in 2010, he had to file for bankruptcy. Luckily, after just three years, he managed to pay his debts and started his new career. Now, he teaches financial literacy to rising stars as an employee of the Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment. Well, Walker himself learned from experience that it is not financially sound to own seven luxury cars at the same time, so who else can give financial advice better?
Antoine Walker: Financial Advisor
Adam Morrison: College Basketball Coach
Adam Morrison’s career was put on hold when he tore his ACL in 2007. He did recover from the injury but was just a role player on the court when he was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. When he retired, he decided to finish his sports management degree. He did not only return as a student at Gonzaga when he went back to school, but he also became part of their basketball team’s coaching staff. Ever since he joined the Zags, his career in college coaching has quickly thrived.
Adam Morrison: College Basketball Coach
Rony Seikaly: DJ
Rony Seikaly enjoyed a successful 11-year career in the NBA. After his retirement, he went off to a new adventure and became a DJ. While others from the same league have tried and failed to become entertainers, Seikaly is quite different – he is good at it, a natural. Since his transition to the music scene, he has played in clubs in Miami, Ibiza, New York, and Las Vegas. Seikaly explained that he didn’t really intend to become a DJ full time. However, he said, “the opportunity came organically and it seemed like it would be fun and it grew from there.”
Rony Seikaly: DJ
John Stockton: Youth Basketball Coach
John Stockton became the one half of the league’s dynamic duo when he played in the NBA. The other half was Karl Malone. Stockton was well-known for his unselfish mindset when it came to basketball. He was always willing to assist than score for himself. After his retirement from the NBA in 2003, he gave up his professional career in the league but didn’t really leave the sport entirely. He moved on to coaching Montana State University’s women’s basketball team. Aside from this, he also has a regular coaching stint in some youth basketball teams.
John Stockton: Youth Basketball Coach
Bill Walton: Sports Broadcaster
Bill Walton started his career in basketball way back in the 1970s. He won two national championships while playing for the UCLA Bruins. He was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers after college and won the NBA Championship twice as well as getting an MVP award. Walton then got over his problem with stuttering after leaving the league in 1987. This, in turn, paved the way for his thriving career as an NBA commentator. He worked for ABC/ESPN, NBC, CBS, and the Los Angeles Clippers before taking a break from broadcasting. Now, he is back from his break and has resumed his flourishing career in broadcasting.
Bill Walton: Sports Broadcaster
Michael Jordan: Businessman
Michael Jordan is considered to be one of the best players in the history of the NBA. He didn’t really need to earn more money after retiring from the league in 2003. He earned a grand total of $90 million while playing in the NBA, but his net worth is currently at approximately $1.3 billion. He could have just enjoyed his fortune and not do any work, but he decided to continue the grind and has managed to become one of the Charlotte Hornets’ owners. In addition, he also collaborates with big companies such as Gatorade, Hanes, and many others. It doesn’t end there. He also has a car dealership and seven restaurants.
Michael Jordan: Businessman
Hakeem Olajuwon: Dealer Of Real Estate
Hakeem Olajuwon was part of the Houston Rockets’ roster between 1984 and 2002. While playing for the Rockets, he consecutively won the championships in 1994 and 1995. Aside from this, it is common knowledge that he has mentored highly-skilled basketball players like Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and many others. Olajuwon has made some very wise investments while he was still playing in the NBA and even after. He already knew that he could smartly use the money he had. Now, Olajuwon is a real estate dealer and, of course, money is not a problem for him.
Hakeem Olajuwon: Dealer Of Real Estate
Shawn Bradley: Cattle Rancher
Everyone knows that Shawn Bradley is one of NBA’s tallest players to have ever played on the court. He first played for the Philadelphia 76ers, but later joined the New Jersey Nets. However, most of his professional career as a basketball player was spent with the Dallas Mavericks. After his retirement in 2005, he appeared in the movie Space Jam. However, he has now focused all his talents and energy on a different kind of work: running his own cattle ranch.
Shawn Bradley: Cattle Rancher
Maceo Baston: Owner Of A Cupcake Store
Maceo Baston used to play for the Toronto Raptors, then for the Indiana Pacers during his NBA career. He, later on, resigned from the league and went on to travel to different countries, playing basketball. After having done this, he decided to stop playing basketball professionally. He and his wife then set up Taste Love Cupcakes, a cupcake business in Michigan. The said cupcake business actually joined the Cupcake Wars and won $10,000. But we are sure that Baston is more like the taster than the baker.
Maceo Baston: Owner Of A Cupcake Store
Tom Chambers: Sports Broadcaster
Tom Chambers scored a total of 20,000 points throughout his NBA career. He may not have been inducted in the Hall of Fame, but he is actually very eligible. He has joined the NBA All-Star four times. Of course, let’s not forget the fact that he played in the NBA for 16 years. Today, Chambers works as a sports broadcaster for Fox Sports Arizona, covering the Phoenix Suns. In addition, he also breeds horses, but he thinks of it as a hobby, not a real job.
Tom Chambers: Sports Broadcaster
Junior Bridgeman: Distributor For Coca Cola
Junior Bridgeman is now worth $600 million. He played in the NBA from 1975 to 1987, a total of 12 years. He first played for the Lakers, then, later on, joined the Bucks. After retiring from the league, he used his earnings to get 450 restaurant franchises, mostly Wendy’s and Chili’s. However, he recently put many of the said restaurants on the market to work with Coca Cola. Now, Bridgeman is one of Coca Cola’s distributor as well as the company’s third independent bottler.
Junior Bridgeman: Distributor For Coca Cola
Chris Washburn: Works For A Home Mortgage Company
Chris Washburn is one of the NBA’s biggest players. In 1986, he was the third NBA draft and joined the Golden State Warriors. Sadly, he lost it all when he got involved with illegal drugs, banning him from the NBA for life. He failed three drug tests in a span of three years. This situation effectively ended his career in the NBA. Fortunately, he finally decided to clean up his act in 2000. Around the same time, he and his girlfriend started a fried chicken business. However, it only lasted for a year. Today, Washburn is an employee of a home mortgage company.
Chris Washburn: Works For A Home Mortgage Company
Evan Eschmeyer: Lawyer
Evan Eschmeyer started playing in the NBA in 1999 and played for the New Jersey Nets for four years. However, he didn’t have much playing time due to his knee problems. Throughout his career, he only scored 421 points and played in 153 games. His knee eventually forced him to leave the league in 2004. After his retirement, he went back to the place where he played college football, Northwestern University, and enrolled in their very competitive JD-MBA program. This earned him both a law degree and an MBA. Eschmeyer has since forged a career path in business and law. As if those aren’t enough, he also works as Atlas Tower’s director of finance.
Evan Eschmeyer: Lawyer
Jonathan Bender: Medical Device Mogul
During the 1999 draft, Jonathan Bender was chosen 5th overall, going from high school straight to the NBA. Although his large 7-foot frame and athletic prowess worked wonders in high school, the big league was a different story. Jonathan retired early and go into the medical device industry. He dealt with knee pain and decided to create something to helps others going through the same thing. The JBIT MedPro, otherwise known as JB Intensive Trainer, helps athletes all over the world, while also improving physical therapy, rehab, and training.
Jonathan Bender: Medical Device Mogul
David Harrison: McDonald’s Man
David Harrison was a star in high school who went on to play for Indiana University before making his way into the NBA. Unfortunately, he didn’t last long as pot smoking and personal issues equated to early retirement. David went on to working at McDonald’s, though he later quit after only 2 weeks. He went from McDonald’s player to McDonald’s employee…talk about full circle!
David Harrison: McDonald’s Man
Chris Andersen AKA Birdman: Big3 Player
Chris Andersen, also known as Birdman, was in the NBA for a long 18 seasons. Instead of moving away from the sport completely, Chris just moved to another league. He is currently playing in the professional 3-on-3 basketball league, Big3. Former NBA players, as well as international players, make up the majority of the league. For those who couldn’t make it in the NBA, this league offers competitiveness, just at a bit of a lower level.
Chris Andersen AKA Birdman: Big3 Player
Larry Bird: Actor
In the 1978 draft, Larry Bird was the 6th overall pick. The Indiana native started and ended his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. Upon retirement, Larry starred in a number of big-screen projects. In 1994 he appeared in Blue Chips, and 1996 brought Space Jam and Celtic Pride. He also served as the inspiration for the alien named Larry Bird in The Neighbors.
Larry Bird: Actor
Clyde Drexler: Real Estate Investor
Clyde Drexler was in the NBA for 15 years before going into retirement. “Clyde the Glide” was a 10-time All-Star and holds a spot on’ The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History’ list. As a rookie, Clyde got involved in investing, particularly real estate, and he hasn’t let up since. Although he has pretty much retired from any work at all, he still manages the Drexler Holdings LLC downtown Houston office.
Clyde Drexler: Real Estate Investor
Shaquille O’Neal: Conductor
Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, had an incredibly successful NBA career. Although he is currently a retired professional basketball player, he continues to work, just in other areas. Following his exit from the league, he decided to do something with his love for music. Shaq has released 6 albums in total and was even featured on Michael Jackson’s “2 Bad”. Shaq recently tried his hand at conducting, leading the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall.
Shaquille O’Neal: Conductor
David Robinson: Builds Schools
San Antonio Spurs retired player David Robinson founded and funded Carver Academy, a non-profit private school for inner-city kids. The basketball center retired in 2003, later realizing his dream to help less-fortunate children. In 2012, the school became a public charter school, the name changing to IDEA Carver. David remains very involved, visiting the school almost every day to help out where he can.
David Robinson: Builds Schools
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the best players the NBA ever saw. After retiring from the league, he went on to become an actor, basketball coach and best-selling author, among other ventures. Kareem was chosen to be a U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Back in 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President, Barack Obama.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador
Herb Williams: WNBA Coach
From 1981 until 1999, Herb Williams was an active NBA player. After retirement though, he didn’t step away from the world of basketball. The New York Liberty of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) are happy to call Herb their assistant coach. He was first signed on in 2015 and is still with the franchise today.
Herb Williams: WNBA Coach
Dirk Nowitzki: Saxophone Player
Dirk Nowitzki of Germany was in the NBA for 21 seasons, from ’98 until ’19. Before retiring about a month ago, he became the only player to be with one team for 21 seasons. He also became the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history during his time with the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk is a saxophone fanatic, and now with more time on his hands, he is able to fully immerse himself in his beloved hobby.
Dirk Nowitzki: Saxophone Player
Manu Ginóbili: Father
Emanuel Ginóbili of Argentina played in the NBA for over 23 seasons. He and only one other player hold NBA championship and EuroLeague titles as well as Olympic gold. After retiring in 2018 at 40 years old, he now has extra time to focus on his 3 growing boys. He and wife Marianela have 9-year-old twins, Dante and Nicola, and a 5-year-old named Luca.
Manu Ginóbili: Father
Rick Mahorn: Radio Analyst
During his 19-year NBA career, Rick Mahorn played for the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Jersey Nets. After retiring, he became an NBA coach, but later switched his career and went into radio analytics and hosting. Rick is currently an analyst/co-host for NBA Radio on SiriusXM and a radio analyst for the Detroit Pistons.
Rick Mahorn: Radio Analyst
Allen Iverson: BIG3 Co-Pl-Ca
Allen Iverson played in the NBA for 14 years before calling it quits. When the NBA’s Big3 league was created in 2017, Allen became a coach, player, and captain of the team 3’s Company. When asked about his current gig, he said, “I signed up to be a coach, player, and captain. Coach part is going to go on throughout the game. Playing part is not going to be what you expect. You’re not going to see the Allen Iverson of old out there.”
Allen Iverson: BIG3 Co-Pl-Ca
Chris Webber: NBA Analyst
Back in 1999, the Orlando Magic selected Chris Webber as their #1 pick. Before going into retirement in 2009, Chris was one of the most popular players in the league. Now he is an NBA analyst on NBA TV’s Tuesday Fan Night, NBA Gametime Live, TNT’s Inside the NBA, and TNT’s Monday coverage, Players Only. He also played a preacher in the film Uncle Drew starring Kyrie Irving.
Chris Webber: NBA Analyst
Gary Payton: Actor
Gary Payton was the Seattle SuperSonics’ point guard for 13 years, and he holds the franchise records in pas (points, assists, and steals). He has become an actor since, starring in films such as White Men Can’t Jump, Eddie, Like Mike, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Breaks and in the TV show The Jamie Foxx Show.
Gary Payton: Actor
Kevin Garnett: Soccer Team Owner
Kevin Garnett played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets during his 21 season career in the NBA. Many recognize him as one of the best power forwards ever. In 2011, he retired and became a shareholder of A.S. Roma, an American-owned Italian Serie A soccer team. It seems he can’t stay away from sports!
Kevin Garnett: Soccer Team Owner
Kobe Bryant: Film Director
Kobe Bryant was picked up by the LA Lakers when he was just a high school junior. He continued his 20-year playing career in Los Angeles, finishing with a total of 5 NBA championships. In 2016, he went into retirement, but that doesn’t mean he’s relaxing! Kobe has done many great things since leaving the league, including directing a film. His short film, Dear Basketball, went on to win an Oscar Award!
Kobe Bryant: Film Director
Larry Johnson: Practicer Of Islam
Larry Johnson was on the Charlotte Hornets and NY Knicks during his NBA career. When he was just starting out, he decided to convert to Islam, and he hasn’t looked back since. He would observe Ramadan, the holy month of fasting during the season. We can’t imagine how difficult that must have been with such a rigorous training schedule. Since retiring, Larry has become more involved in his local mosque where he goes to pray daily.
Larry Johnson: Practicer Of Islam
Magic Johnson: HIV/AIDS Advocate
The LA Lakers chose Magic Johnson as their #1 overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft. The said player wore purple and yellow for 13 years before going into retirement. In 1991, he bravely told the world that he was HIV positive. Johnson is an advocate for safe sex and prevention of the disease, and is working to squash the stereotype that heterosexuals are immune to HIV/AIDS. He is also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster and motivational speaker. His non-profit, The Magic Johnson Foundation, brings awareness and raises funds for the said disease.
Magic Johnson: HIV/AIDS Advocate
Penny Hardaway: Barbershop Owner
From 1993 until 2007, Penny Hardaway played for teams such as the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, NY Knicks, and Miami Heat. The shooting & point guard later retired in 2007 and returned to his home of Memphis, Tennessee. He is the owner of a barbershop and beauty salon in the said town, as well as a turf business in Miami, FL.
Penny Hardaway: Barbershop Owner