Vin Baker was once a superstar in the NBA, known for his impressive athleticism and powerful game. However, after struggling with addiction and alcoholism, he lost everything, including his career and finances.
But, despite his downfall, Baker was determined to turn his life around, and he did just that. Baker found success in a popular coffee shop, and he gives back to the community through his non-profit organization.
Baker’s story is a true testament to the power of redemption and perseverance. In this post, we will delve into his incredible journey, from his rise to fame to his struggles with addiction and how he overcame them, and how he has managed to rebuild his life as a successful entrepreneur and community leader.
Vin Baker’s Redemption Story
Vin Baker played 13 years in the NBA for six teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics, and was named an All-Star four times. Despite earning $100 million in salary and endorsements throughout his career, Baker lost all his money, thanks to problems with alcohol and mismanaged his money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3JFbaCDyJ0
This led to many problems for Baker, including having his house foreclosed.
“When you make choices and decisions and think that it will never end, and then you get into spending and addiction and more spending, it’s a definite formula for losing,” he told Forbes. “If you don’t have perspective in your personal life and you don’t understand what this $1 million or $15 million means, it will go.”
Baker’s alcoholism got so bad at one point that he started to drink Listerine mouthwash. Yes, times were tough for the former NBA All-Star, but he would turn his life around, and it involved a popular coffee restaurant.
When Baker was at his all-time low, he reached out to Howard Schultz, who was the CEO of Starbucks, the popular coffee restaurant chain, for help. Schultz gave Baker a job as a manager at Starbucks, which is strange to see a former NBA player take on that job, but for Baker, it was the perfect place for him.
Baker learned responsibility and gained structure while working at Starbucks. This opportunity also led to Baker wanting to help others in need.
“I understand the addiction from every single level. I haven’t left, in my mind, all the bad things that happened. Like, I didn’t forget about it. Nor have I forgotten about four years ago when I was just putting on a green apron at Starbucks. I’m not that far in the clouds. I have an absolute responsibility to provide hope for people who aren’t in healthy situations when it comes to addiction. That precedes anything else in my life,” Baker said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Baker has since created a non-profit foundation called the Stand Tall Foundation. This organization assists children by helping them financially while providing education and personal development programs.
In 2018, Baker joined the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff as an assistant. He was part of the team’s 2021 championship-winning season, and he still works as an assistant to this day.
Vin Baker’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. After a successful career as a professional basketball player in the NBA, Baker’s life took a turn for the worse as he battled alcoholism and lost most of his fortune.
But instead of giving up, Baker made the decision to turn his life around. And it all started with a job at Starbucks.
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