Black NBA players have excelled on the court and achieved tremendous financial success in the NBA, a feat that has been achieved by different generations of exceptional talent.
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These remarkable black players have overcome systemic challenges and shattered barriers to become some of the most wealthy black NBA players in history. As a result of their exceptional skills, business acumen, and endorsements, they have amassed large fortunes, inspiring future generations while changing their own lives for the better.
Here are the incredible athletes, their sports journey and their breakthrough achievements.
10. Kevin Durant– Net Worth: $200 Million
- Full name: Kevin Wayne Durant
- Birthdate: 29 September 1988
- Birthplace: Washington, DC, United States
- Age: 34 years
- Net worth: $200 million
Durant, who was selected second overall in the 2007 Draft, played on the 2012 United States Men’s National Basketball Team, which won the gold medal.
He has established himself as one of the best scorers in NBA history while playing for the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Seattle Supersonics and Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and now the Phoenix Suns.
Also, he’s a two-time NBA Finals MVP and makes $26 million a year as part of his shoe contract with Nike.
He’s a member of the Brooklyn Nets, and his net worth of $200 million makes him one of the richest black NBA players right now. Did you know that Durant is also a rapper? To know more about Durant, get this book from Amazon.
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9. David Robinson– Net Worth: $200 Million
- Full name: David Maurice Robinson
- Birthdate: 6 August 1965
- Birthplace: Key West island, Florida, United States
- Age: 57 years
- Net worth: $200 million
Florida native David Robinson, nicknamed “The Admiral,” is a former NBA player who earned millions during his Hall of Fame career. He spent the majority of his life with the San Antonio Spurs.
David Robinson’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, ranking him as the seventh wealthiest NBA player globally.
8. Grant Hill– Net Worth: $250 Million
Full name: Grant Henry Hill
- Birthdate: 5 October 1972
- Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
- Age: 50 years
- Net worth: $250 million
Grant Hill is a former professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons who hung around in the NBA for nearly two decades. And this is despite dealing with so many injuries in his late 20s.
Moreover, he was chosen in 1994 and was later crowned NBA Rookie of the Year and Sports Illustrated’s Rookie of the Year in 1997. As of 2022, Grant Hill‘s net worth was approximately $250 million. Hill’s a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and is among the NBA’s richest players.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon– Net Worth: $300 Million
- Full name: Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon
- Birthdate: 21 January 1963
- Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
- Age: 60 years
- Net worth: $300 million
Hakeem Olajuwon, the former two-time NBA champion and a baller of Nigerian descent, lives in the United States. From 1984 to 2002, he was the Houston Rockets starting center.
His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame took place in 2008, while his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame took place in 2016.
He had an endorsement deal with Spalding, one that wasn’t as lucrative as it potentially could have been because Olajuwon wanted his shoes to be available to lower and middle-class kids.
Hakeem Olajuwon’s net worth of $300 million puts him among the NBA’s wealthiest players.
6. Shaquille O’Neal–Net Worth: $400 Million
- Full name: Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal
- Birthdate: 6 March 1972
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Age: 51 years
- Net worth: $400 million
One of the most dominant big men in NBA history, O’Neal, nicknamed ‘Shaq’, made more than $285 million as a player. He’s a former professional basketball star from Newark, New Jersey, who played professional basketball with Koby Bryant over the years.
You can see Shaq in ads for The General and Papa John’s, but he has also been part of endorsements with Burger King, Pepsi, Gold Bond, and Reebok, among others.
Shaq’s net worth is predicted to be approximately $400 million by the end of 2022.
5. Vinnie Johnson– Net Worth: $400 Million
- Full name: Vinnie Johnson “The Microwave”
- Birthdate: 1 September 1956
- Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
- Age: 66 years
- Net worth: $400 million
Vinnie Johnson won two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons during his impressive career. He was among the highest-paid NBA players in history during his 13-year NBA career.
However, he’s an example of someone on this list who has made significantly more money after his playing career.
His wealth comes from his stake in Piston Group, which is the world’s leading value-added assembly provider. Vinnie Johnson’s net worth is $400 million.
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4. Junior Bridgeman– Net Worth: $600 Million
- Full name: Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman
- Birthdate: 17 September 1953
- Birthplace: East Chicago, Indiana, United States
- Age: 69 years
- Net worth: $600 million
During his 12-year NBA career, Bridgeman averaged 13.6 points per game, but his earnings came after he started a business.
Owning neighbourhood Wendy’s and Chili’s, which he sold in 2016, was a major source of his wealth. He’s since also become a bottler for Coca-Cola and bought the magazine, Ebony.
In 1999, Bridgeman was elected a Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame member. With an estimated net worth of $600 million, Junior Bridgeman ranks among the top 5 basketball players in the world.
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3. Magic Johnson– Net Worth: $620 Million
- Full name: Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr.
- Birthdate: 14 August 1959
- Birthplace: Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Age: 63 years
- Net worth: $620 million
Johnson made less than $40 million during one of the most dominant playing careers ever; however, he used his incredible personal skills and smarts to find a ton of business success.
Magic Johnson is currently a retired professional basketball star in the National Basketball Association from Michigan who became an entrepreneur.
He’s part of the ownership group for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson has sold equity in the Lakers, along with quite a large investment in Starbucks. He has had one of the more interesting lives you can imagine and has made his fair share of money in the process.
Johnson is affiliated with famous brands such as Starbucks, Fridays, and 24-Hour Fitness. Magic Johnson’s net worth is around $620 million.
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2. LeBron James– Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
- Full name: LeBron Raymone James Sr.
- Birthdate: 30 December 1984
- Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States
- Age: 37 years
- Net worth: $1.2 billion
LeBron James is a professional basketball player and businessman. Famously known as “King James”, he plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James as an unrestricted free agent after he left the Cleveland Cavaliers. Additionally, he has a shoe contract with Nike that is reportedly worth over $1 billion.
In addition, when Apple bought Beats By Dre in 2014, a business in which James owned 1% of the stock, he received $30 million from the company. James was a four-time NBA MVP.
The player has gained a substantial net worth throughout his career. According to Forbes, LeBron James had a net worth of $1.2 billion as of 2022, making him a billionaire.
1. Michael Jordan– Net Worth: $2.2 Billion
- Full name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan
- Birthdate: 17 February 1963
- Birthplace: Cumberland Hospital
- Age: 60 years
- Net worth: $1.7 billion
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest player in NBA history. The six-time NBA champion has turned his basketball acumen into a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
The former basketball player turned businessman made over $90 million as a player and $130 million annually from Nike as part of his iconic “Air Jordan” brand. The majority of his wealth came from endorsement deals.
In addition to racing with NASCAR champion Denny Hamlin, Jordan is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, who play in his hometown.
The richest basketball player in the world, Michael Jordan, has a net worth of $2.2 billion.
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Consequently, it’s worthwhile to note that the achievements and successes of the richest black NBA players aren’t only a reflection of their remarkable talent and dedication to the game. They are also a reflection of their ability to surpass barriers and inspire the next generation of athletes.
Besides, it speaks volumes about their resilience and determination to break stereotypes that they have risen to the top echelons of wealth in a primarily white industry.
Beyond the court, these black athletes have reshaped the landscape of professional basketball. In addition to addressing social issues, they are committed to uplifting black communities in general.
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