12. Latrell Sprewell
Latrell Fontaine Sprewell is a former American professional basketball player. He played for the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During his time as a professional, Sprewell was named to the annual NBA All-Star game four times.
This controversial basketball player first made headlines during the tenure with the Golden State Warriors. During a 1997 practice, he physically assaulted his coach, P.J. Carlesimo, and earned a 68-game suspension. Despite this incident Sprewell went on with his career earning almost $100 million.
His downfall began when he turned down a three-year contract extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves worth $30 million. According to Sprewell, this was simply not enough money.
“I have a family to feed … Glen Taylor better cough up some money. Otherwise, you’re going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon,” said Latrell at the time.
The team’s upper management didn’t fall for this and by the end of the 2005 season, he was unemployed. By 2007, his yacht had been repossessed by federal marshals after missed payments and insurance worth over $1 million. In 2008, he defaulted on the mortgage on his home in Milwaukee, sending it into foreclosure. His Westchester mansion faced the same destiny two years later.
