From McDonald's All-American to McDonald's worker: How David Harrison lost his way after the NBA

[Ganji]

Former Indiana Pacers center David Harrison, a little more than a decade removed from being a first-round pick in the NBA draft, has struggled to make a consistent living since his basketball career ended – to the point he said he took a job working at McDonald's two years ago.

"I was embarrassed because of where I could be in life," Harrison told Yahoo Sports. "Everybody has to work and make a living somehow. I have two children. They don't care where I work. They just need to eat.

"People were showing up trying to take my car. My house was in foreclosure. I didn't have any income. I just had everything going out. I have child support to one son. I have a really big family and I have to take care of them, even through I'm not playing in the NBA. I needed money."

Harrison made $4.4 million before taxes during four seasons with Indiana and also played in China professionally for three seasons. He said almost all of that money is gone. Now 32 and without a college degree, Harrison said he's having a hard time finding a job.

full story / source http://sports.yahoo.com/news/from-mcdon ... 53807.html

[blau08]

That sucks. Goes to show nothing is guaranteed in this world.

[thamadkant]

1. the moment you secure your first million... Buy a house outright, buy a car outright. Put the rest in a bank account lock it up.

2. Your second million, you spend living in luxury.

3. Your income, you maintain your lifestyle and you base your lifestyle base on your income.



NBA players need to spend 3 months with financial advisors before they even sign their contracts.


Do I feel sorry for him? Yes.
But given that he was in the 0.001% of the world that was fortunate enough to earn a million in a very short time an squandered it... I can only shake my head.

[pacers33granger]

Can't say I feel sorry for him after watching him put in no real work throughout his time with the Pacers. And he came into a team with some good vet leadership and coached by Carlisle. Guy just didn't care at all until he lost it all.

[Pointgod]

1. the moment you secure your first million... Buy a house outright, buy a car outright. Put the rest in a bank account lock it up.

2. Your second million, you spend living in luxury.

3. Your income, you maintain your lifestyle and you base your lifestyle base on your income.



NBA players need to spend 3 months with financial advisors before they even sign their contracts.


Do I feel sorry for him? Yes.
But given that he was in the 0.001% of the world that was fortunate enough to earn a million in a very short time an squandered it... I can only shake my head.

Career long financial planning should be mandatory in all sports.

[Kilo]

Problem is usually the hangers on who now think you owe them a living as well. I mean it's like Brewsters Millions - it's hard to spend millions without acquiring assets that retain most of their value. You have to give it away or gamble it or something.

[jowglenn]

Can't say I feel sorry for him after watching him put in no real work throughout his time with the Pacers. And he came into a team with some good vet leadership and coached by Carlisle. Guy just didn't care at all until he lost it all.

He was absolutely a guy where everyone saw his physical gifts, but he would do the stupidest things and not care at all, while around him is a professional basketball team trying to win.

Should I feel bad that this guy got the opportunity to plow through more money than I'll likely ever have? I'm sure the lobster was great.

[Black Jack]

I'm surprised this guy couldn't even catch on in Europe or Asian leagues...he should have been able to salvage his career somewhat.

[NO-KG-AI]

I don't see how at 32, with his type of size and all, he can't bust his ass and play professionally SOMEWHERE. If you want to work at McDonald's with those gifts, it's because he has no desire to try and play basketball or workout. Can't feel sorry. It's not like he's 50, or can't walk.

[Kilo]

^Hell even try pro-wrestling or something. 7ft tall 250lbs+ and not developmentally challenged shouldn't be working at McDonalds.

[Yoshun]

In before this thread becomes a discussion about why we should or shouldn't feel sorry for him.

[Rip It]

What an underachieving loser.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

In before this thread becomes a discussion about why we should or shouldn't feel sorry for him.

Think you got that in after it started.

David doesn't care. He has spent the majority of his time after basketball *****ing about what he dealt with while playing basketball.

I wish him the best, but the dude could still play overseas somewhere if he had any kind of work ethic.

[RSCD3_]

In before this thread becomes a discussion about why we should or shouldn't feel sorry for him.

Too late

[RSCD3_]

I think we on realgm all can come to the same consensus that because he didn't use his physical gifts and lost his money, he is a failure at life and should be mocked endlessly for it. We all hope he fails and is living on the streets

[Sofa King]

Can't feel sorry for him when someone like Marbury made a name for himself in China.

[Damon_3388]

1. the moment you secure your first million... Buy a house outright, buy a car outright. Put the rest in a bank account lock it up.

2. Your second million, you spend living in luxury.

3. Your income, you maintain your lifestyle and you base your lifestyle base on your income.



NBA players need to spend 3 months with financial advisors before they even sign their contracts.


Do I feel sorry for him? Yes.
But given that he was in the 0.001% of the world that was fortunate enough to earn a million in a very short time an squandered it... I can only shake my head.

Career long financial planning should be mandatory in all sports.

This is where going to college and actually attending classes could help some of these guys.

[Yoshun]

In before this thread becomes a discussion about why we should or shouldn't feel sorry for him.

Too late

Yea I was a little slow.

[Pointgod]

1. the moment you secure your first million... Buy a house outright, buy a car outright. Put the rest in a bank account lock it up.

2. Your second million, you spend living in luxury.

3. Your income, you maintain your lifestyle and you base your lifestyle base on your income.



NBA players need to spend 3 months with financial advisors before they even sign their contracts.


Do I feel sorry for him? Yes.
But given that he was in the 0.001% of the world that was fortunate enough to earn a million in a very short time an squandered it... I can only shake my head.

Career long financial planning should be mandatory in all sports.

This is where going to college and actually attending classes could help some of these guys.

You're extremely mistaken if you think going to college increases your financial iq. Second the collegiate athlete system is a complete joke and simply exists as a money making machine to profit off these kids.

[deanwoof]

Damn Calvin you can't keep working at WacArnolds