If you’re in North Kingstown, R.I., and need a coffee, a four-time NBA All-Star can help you with that.
Vin Baker played 13 seasons in the NBA — two with the Boston Celtics — and earned almost $100 million. But Baker struggled with alcoholism and finances toward the end of his career, resulting in the loss of most of his earnings.
So where is Baker now? It turns out he’s working at a Starbucks in North Kingstown, where he’s training to become a store manager.
“In this company, there are opportunities for everyone,” Baker, 43, said via Kevin McNamara of The Providence Journal. “I have an excellent situation here at Starbucks, and the people are wonderful.”
On the surface, this might appear as a tragic story about a player who lost everything, but not according to Baker.
“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 McNamara. “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.”
Baker has been sober for over four years, and he now has a second chance on life.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@projo
