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Basketball in Thailand is popular nowadays but not as much as soccer and Muay Thai. Just like anybody who plays basketball, they enjoy the sports to be physically fit, to have fun, and to be competitive and interactive with other Thais. Surprisingly, they have been participating in different competitions in Asia in the 1990s.
The Chang Thailand Slammers (formerly known as Thailand Tigers) was the 2010-2011 ABL Champions after beating the Philippine Patriots in the Championship Round. The slammers have proven that they have been a powerful and substantial team in the ASEAN Basketball League.
Most basketball players in the world would like a life similar to their idols in the professional league. Making them imitate their skills and dreaming of having a good fortune. Here is the list of the wealthiest basketball players in the world.
20. Yao Ming (Net Worth: $120 Million)
Yao Ming is a Chinese professional basketball player. He is from Shanghai, China, and he started to play for the Shanghai Sharks when he was a teenager. He was then drafted by the Houston Rockets of the NBA back in 2002 after showing his dominant skills with the Shanghai Sharks. He also became the third Chinese to play in the NBA. Yao Ming's net worth is at $120 million, making him one of the wealthiest in NBA history.
19. Dwayne Wade (Net Worth: $120 Million)
One of the NBA's famous players is Dwayne Wade and was crowned the NBA Finals MVP after he led the Miami Heat to their first NBA Championship. Dwayne Wade was drafted fifth overall by Miami in the 2003 NBA draft. His net worth is approximately $120 million.
18. Carmelo Anthony (Net Worth: $120 Million)
Carmelo Anthony is one of the most famous American basketball players in the NBA. He's the type of player who you could trust down the crunch, and he will deliver. In the 2003 NBA draft, Carmelo was drafted by Denver Nuggets as the third overall pick in the first round. As of 2019, his estimated net worth is $120 million.
17. Russell Westbrook (Net Worth: $125 Million)
Russel Westbrook was drafted fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics before he transferred to Oklahoma City Thunder six days after. Westbrook has kept his consistent skills in the court and continues to improve every single game. He is an eight-time NBA All-Star Team member and even won the Most Valuable Player in 2016-2017 season. Along with Oscar Robertson in 1962, Westbrook averaged a triple-double in a season. He has set the record for the most triple-doubles in one season. Russell Westbrook earned gold medals for representing the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics. With all his success in his career, his net worth is around $125 million.
16. Tim Duncan (Net Worth: $130 Million)
Tim Duncan is a professional basketball player from the Virgin Islands, and we all know how successful he is with his career. Winning NBA Championships, selected All-Star multiple times and winning MVP also. He also has a foundation to raise general health awareness, youth sports, and fund education in different parts of the United States. His estimated net worth is $130 million as of 2019.
15. Gary Payton (Net Worth: $130 Million)
Gary Payton, also known as “The Glove”, was a professional NBA player and has retired already. He played first with the Seattle Supersonics, then Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He may be retired already, but The Glove's net worth is an estimated $130 million.
14. Dwight Howard (Net Worth: 140 Million)
Voted as Defensive Player of the Year for three straight years in a row, Dwight Howard has set a new standard as a defensive big man in the NBA. He is famous for his court theatrics and skills. Howard even joined the Slam Dunk in the NBA All-Star and trademarked the “Superman” dunk. His net worth goes around $140 million.
13. Dirk Nowitzki (Net Worth: $140 Million)
This German professional basketball player plays power forward for the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk was chosen the NBA Most Valuable Player in the 2007 regular season, and it was the first European to receive such recognition. Known for his versatility and scoring ability, Dirk carries an unstoppable outside shooting and his trademark fadeaway jump shot. He has been in the All-Star ten times already. Dirk's net worth is an estimated $140 Million.
12. James Harden (Net Worth: $145 Million)
Famous as “The Beard,” James Harden has earned himself a career in the NBA as one of the league's prime scorers. The Oklahoma City Thunder picked Harden as their third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. He has helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 2012 but lost to the Miami Heat in five games. James Harden's net worth is at $145 Million.
11. Kevin Durant (Net Worth: $170 Million)
Kevin Durant transferred to Brooklyn Nets this year. The Seattle Supersonics drafted him in 2007 as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. The Seattle Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. He played there for nine seasons then transferred to the Golden State Warriors in 2016, winning two championships in 2017 and 2018. He became the NBA's Most Valuable Player, won two Finals MVP Awards, NBA rookie of the year award, and four NBA scoring titles are a few of Durant's awards in his career. With all these winnings, his net worth is an estimated $170 Million.
10. Grant Hill (Net Worth: $180 Million)
Grant Hill is a former NBA player. He played with the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. He was awarded Rookie of the Year in 1995 (shared with Jason Kidd).
He was considered one of the best basketball players in the world to play the game. At some point, he led his respective teams in rebounds, assists, and scores. Unfortunately, he suffered injuries after six seasons with the Detroit Pistons. As of 2019, Grant Hill's net worth is $180 million.
9. Kevin Garnett (Net Worth: $190 Million)
Kevin Garnett had played for 21 seasons in the NBA. He is considered one of the best power forwards in the history of basketball. Kevin is known for his defensive ability, versatility, and intensity which he showed in every game he played. Only four NBA players have one both Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Garnett is one of them. “The Kid”, as he was popularly known, made an impact with the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading the team to eight consecutive playoff appearances.
Kevin joined the Boston Celtics in 2007 and helped the team to win an NBA Championship. He then transferred to the Brooklyn Nets and traded back to Minnesota where he announced his retirement in 2016. He had a great career with a net worth of $190 million.
8. Hakeem Olajuwon (Net Worth: $200 Million)
A Nigerian-American former professional basketball player, Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is one of the best and unstoppable centers that played in the National Basketball Association. He played the center position for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. The Rockets had won a back-to-back NBA Championships with Olajuwon leading the team.
Hakeem was drafted first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, a draft that included Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Michael Jordan. He was also a member of the 1996 Olympic gold-medal-winning United States national team and was one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. With all these achievements, Hakeem managed a net worth of $200 million.
7. David Robinson (Net Worth: $200 Million)
One of the richest basketball players is David Robinson, a retired NBA player from the San Antonio Spurs. He was considered to be one of the best centers in the NBA. “The Admiral” served as an officer in the United States Navy, hence the nickname.
David is a ten-time NBA All-Star and won the 1995 NBA MVP. He led the Spurs with two Championships (1999 and 2003), won two Olympic Gold Medals (1992 and 1996), and the list goes on. He has accomplished so much in his career, and he earned a net worth of $200 million.
6. Kobe Bryant (Net Worth: $350 Million)
One of the highest-paid NBA players, Kobe had shown the worth of salary he is receiving. An American professional basketball player from Philadelphia, Kobe joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers. The Charlotte Hornets first selected him as the 13th overall pick. The Hornets then traded Bryant to the Lakers. As a rookie, Kobe brought excitement to the league with his high-flying dunks and became a fan favourite when he won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest. He had a career-high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors.
He had so many awards and advertisement deals that allowed him to gain a net worth of $350 million, enough to make it to our list of the richest basketball players in the world.
5. Shaquille O'Neal (Net Worth: $400 Million)
Shaquille Rashaun “Shaq” O'Neal is now a sports analyst on Inside the NBA on TNT. He started his career with the Orlando Magic, as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. With his size and skills, O'Neal became an instant dominant centre in the league. He won the rookie of the year in the 1992-1993 season and led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. He then transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the team win three consecutive championships.
He also played with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics before retiring. He was the 1999-2000 Most Valuable Player and once an NBA Rookie of the Year back in the 1992-1993 season. With so many achievements in his career, Shaq's estimated net worth is $400 million.
4. Lebron James (Net Worth: $440 Million)
Lebron James is a professional basketball player in the NBA from Akron, Ohio. Also known as “King James” as he leads every team he is in like a king. He transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers and will try to prove again that he can carry this team by winning an NBA Championship. His estimated net worth is $440 million, making him our fourth-richest basketball player.
3. Magic Johnson (Net Worth: $600 Million)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a retired professional basketball player in the NBA. He became an entrepreneur after he announced that he had contracted HIV. He now have partnerships with Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and Friday's. his good business skills made him one of the richest basketball players in the world with a net worth of $600 million.
2. Junior Bridgeman (Net Worth: $600 Million)
Junior Bridgeman is a retired professional basketball player from East Chicago. He pursued his career as a businessman, owning more than 118 outlets of Chili's restaurant, and still growing. He joined to the Wisconsin Athletic “Hall of Fame.” With all these ventures, Junior Bridgeman has an estimated net worth of $600 million.
1. Michael Jordan (Net Worth: $1.5 Billion)
We all know who Michael Jordan is. He is considered the greatest of all time in basketball history. When he retired as a professional basketball player, he then turned into a businessman. With a net worth of $1.5 Billion, he surely knows how to handle and save his money.
Basketball is considered one of the most played sports in history. The professional players give people excellent entertainment. Thus, making them earn some more as they get famous. Anybody can dream about becoming one of the richest basketball players in the world.
