Life now for Vin Baker is a far cry from his days in the NBA.
According to The Providence Journal, the 6-foot-11 former Seattle Supersonic center is training to manage a Starbucks franchise in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
The change of careers comes after Baker lost nearly $100 million in earnings from his 13-year career in the NBA. Despite his status as a four-time all star in the league, Baker struggled with alcoholism towards the end of his career in the pros as well as financial troubles that ultimately resulted in the loss of what he made.
Nowadays, Baker is in a different state of mind with more than four years of being sober under his belt, according to the Journal, which noted that the ex-sports star has remarried.
“When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you’re at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen,” Baker told the Journal. “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. I’m a father. I’m a minister in my father’s church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate that this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life.”
As for who was responsible for bringing Baker to Starbucks, the answer would be the company’s CEO Howard Schultz, who is noted for being the former owner of the Supersonics, which is now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“In this company there are opportunities for everyone. I have an excellent situation here at Starbucks, and the people are wonderful,” Baker told Journal while thanking Schultz for the chance to pursue a new career.
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(Photo Source: The Providence Journal)
