Former NBA star Vin Baker training to become Starbucks manager
Four-time All-Star Vin Baker made over $97 million in 13 NBA seasons. Now he's training to manage a Starbucks outlet in North Kingstown, R.I.
Yet Baker sees this turn of events as a redemption, not a fall from grace, according to a fascinating interview with Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal.
"For me this could have ended most likely in jail or death," said Baker, whose playing career ended in 2006 amid a battle with alcoholism. "That's how these stories usually end. For me to summon the strength to walk out here and get excited about retail management at Starbucks and try to provide for my family, I feel that's more heroic than being 6-11 with a fade-away jump shot."
Baker was selected eighth in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. For the next decade with Milwaukee and the Seattle SuperSonics, he was one of the game's premier power forwards. He played in four All-Star Games and won Olympic gold in 2000 alongside Vince Carter, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. But by the time the native New Englander landed with the Boston Celtics in 2002, he was dealing with a severe drinking problem.
"I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had a great talent and lost it," said Baker, now sober for four years. "For the people on the outside looking in, they're like 'Wow.' For me, I'm 43 and I have four kids ... 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."
Baker credits his onetime boss, Starbucks CEO and former Sonics owner Howard Schultz, with giving him the management opportunity. He also says he'd like to help the current generation of young NBA multimillionaires fully understand the pitfalls of such sudden wealth:
I appreciate that in a lot of cases it's more money, more problems. I think in professional sports today teams have to deal with the personal challenges of giving young men this extraordinary amount of money. For me it was a struggle. I think when you're giving guys who aren't even All-Stars $80 million, there should be a framework in place where these kids can talk to someone ... I would also say be able to monitor every single dime that comes out of your accounts as if you're a Starbucks barista. My check here, I know exactly where my money goes. Don't trust it with an accountant or a family friend. Make sure you're aware and be responsible because next thing you know people are stealing from you.