Ex NBA player lost $100 million to alcoholism, proudly works as a Starbucks barista

Former four-time All-Star basketball player Vin Baker earned $100 million during his 13-year NBA career.

According to Mail Online, he now works at Starbucks in Rhode Island and is grateful to Starbucks CEO and chairman Howard Shultz - the owner of the Seattle SuperSonics (now, the Oklahoma City Thunder) when Baker played for them - for the 'excellent' opportunity.

'In this company there are opportunities for everyone...' he said.

'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 [also] a minister in my father’s church.'

Baker admitted he was a recovering alcoholic after his weight ballooned, his game performance worsened and his coach smelled alcohol on him.

Toward the end of his career, Baker wiped out nearly his entire $100 million of earnings through his alcohol dependence and what the Journal describes as a 'series of financial missteps', which include a failed restaurant and financially detrimental partnerships.

But he said he was proud of his will to recover and provide for his wife and their family - and hopes it inspires others.

He advices young NBA stars earning millions of dollars to surround themselves with the people they trust the most - and monitor 'every dime' that goes out of their bank accounts.