Delonte West’s story is one of the most tragic in the NBA over the past decade. Once a promising player with the Boston Celtics, West earned around $16.4 million during his eight years in the league. However, just a year after his retirement in 2015, he was seen begging for money and has since been photographed in similar situations multiple times.
Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health
West’s downward spiral has been largely attributed to his struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder. These issues have been magnified by the fact that West has no financial means to deal with them, as he has blown through his entire fortune.
Financial Mismanagement
One of the key reasons for West’s financial ruin was signing for the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 without any money left. A combination of a messy divorce, bad lawyer representation, and other unnecessary expenses left the former NBA player completely broke.
Homelessness
With no money left, West became a homeless NBA player in 2011. Since then, he has been seen begging for money and struggling to survive. It is a heartbreaking story, which serves as a reminder that professional athletes are not immune to personal struggles that can lead to their downfall.
