After 17 years since his last NBA All-Star appearance, former Bucks and Sonics forward Vin Baker is training to become a manager at a Starbucks in North Kingstown, R.I. While some may see that path as tragic, Providence Journal’s Kevin McNamara shows why it’s merely the latest step in Baker’s redemption story.
Former NBA star Vin Baker is training to be a Starbucks manager
Baker’s redemption story after suffering from alcoholism has taken a unique turn.
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
The world has changed a lot for Baker, 43, over the past two decades since his arrival in the NBA. A recovering alcoholic who saw those off-the-court issues prematurely end his playing days and cost him nearly $100 million in earnings, Baker is now on a path toward a different kind of success.
Four years sober, newly married and the father of four children, Baker is proving that he can overcome the demons that caused his downfall as a basketball player. Along with his work at Starbucks, the former All-Star helped coach the Milwaukee Bucks' Summer League team. For Baker, who saw his career collapse under the weight of his addiction, this has all been part of the process of redeeming himself after troubling times:
“When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you’re at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen,” Baker told the Providence Journal. “I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. 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 a father. I’m a minister in my father’s church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate that this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life.”
Now Baker wants to be a mentor to the young NBA players who are signing even larger contracts than he did. With the rising salary cap, even non-star players are getting eight-figure, multi-year contracts. Baker knows how difficult managing that wealth can be for a young man who’s never had that kind of money:
“I think when you’re giving guys who aren’t even All-Stars $80 million, there should be a framework in place where these kids can talk to someone.”
That’s something Baker could help with given his unique experiences. For now, he’s also focused on taking advantage of the opportunity afforded to him by the nation’s largest coffee shop chain:
“For me to summon the strength to walk out here and get excited about retail management at Starbucks and try to provide for my family, I feel that’s more heroic than being 6’11 with a fade-away jump shot.”
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