Javaris Crittenton Net Worth: What Happened To The Former NBA Player's Finances?

It's almost like a mystery, isn't it? The story of Javaris Crittenton, a name once whispered with such promise in basketball circles, has taken a truly unexpected turn. Many folks, you know, wonder what became of his financial situation after his career on the court ended so abruptly and, well, dramatically. This article looks at his journey, from bright beginnings to the legal troubles that shaped his life and, very certainly, his money matters.

For a lot of people, the idea of a professional athlete's wealth seems so grand, doesn't it? Yet, sometimes, as a matter of fact, life throws some pretty tough curveballs, and fortunes can shift quite a bit. We're going to explore how someone who once had a professional sports career, with all the earnings that come with it, found his financial standing change so much.

We'll look at the money he made during his time playing basketball and, perhaps more importantly, how the serious legal issues he faced later on truly affected his ability to keep or grow that wealth. It's a tale that, in a way, shows how life choices can really impact everything, including a person's net worth.

Table of Contents

• Javaris Crittenton: A Brief Biography
• The Early Days and Basketball Dreams
• NBA Career and Earnings
• The Shocking Turn: Legal Troubles
• How Legal Issues Impacted His Finances
• Estimating Javaris Crittenton's Net Worth Today
• Life Beyond the Court
• Frequently Asked Questions About Javaris Crittenton

Javaris Crittenton: A Brief Biography

Javaris Crittenton's story is, quite frankly, a complex one, marked by moments of high achievement and, then, really difficult personal struggles. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he showed a remarkable talent for basketball from a very young age. This skill, you know, opened doors to prestigious opportunities, setting him on a path that many young athletes only dream about.

He was, in fact, a highly sought-after player coming out of high school, and his college career at Georgia Tech further cemented his reputation as a promising point guard. His time there was pretty short, but it was enough to catch the eye of professional scouts. So, it's really interesting to see how quickly things can change.

Here's a quick look at some personal details about him:

The Early Days and Basketball Dreams

From his earliest days, it was clear that Javaris Crittenton had a special connection with basketball. He played high school ball at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and, honestly, he was a standout player there. His abilities on the court were so impressive that he was considered one of the top high school prospects in the entire country, which is a pretty big deal.

His skills earned him a spot at Georgia Tech, a well-regarded college basketball program. He played just one season for the Yellow Jackets, but what a season it was. He showed a knack for scoring and distributing the ball, proving he could compete at a high level. That single year was, you know, enough to make NBA teams take notice.

After his freshman year, Crittenton made the decision to enter the NBA Draft, a move that, for many young players, represents the ultimate realization of their childhood dreams. He was, in fact, picked 19th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, which is quite an accomplishment for anyone who loves the game.

NBA Career and Earnings

Being drafted by an NBA team, especially one as famous as the Lakers, means a guaranteed contract and, honestly, a pretty substantial paycheck. For Javaris Crittenton, this was his chance to earn a lot of money and secure his financial future. His rookie contract, as is typical for first-round picks, was worth millions over several years. That's a lot of zeros, you know?

He played for the Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Washington Wizards during his short time in the league. While his on-court performance didn't quite match the high expectations that came with being a first-round pick, he still earned a significant amount of money during his professional basketball career. These earnings, you know, would have set him up quite nicely for a comfortable life.

During his NBA tenure, which spanned parts of three seasons, his reported career earnings from player salaries alone were roughly around $4 million. That's a sum that, for most people, is very hard to imagine. It's important to remember that this figure doesn't include any potential endorsement deals or other income sources that often come with being a professional athlete, so his total income could have been even higher, in a way.

A Snapshot of His Reported NBA Salaries

• 2007-08 (Lakers): Roughly $1.4 million
• 2008-09 (Grizzlies/Wizards): Roughly $1.5 million
• 2009-10 (Wizards - waived): Roughly $1.1 million (portion paid)

These numbers, you know, represent a considerable amount of financial opportunity. For many, such earnings would provide a foundation for long-term wealth, allowing for investments and a secure future. It's a testament to the earning potential that comes with reaching the highest levels of professional sports, which is really something to think about.

The Shocking Turn: Legal Troubles

The trajectory of Javaris Crittenton's life took a very sharp and, honestly, tragic turn away from the basketball court. His name began to appear in headlines for reasons far removed from sports, which was a real shame. The first major incident that drew widespread attention involved a locker room dispute with a teammate, Gilbert Arenas, in December 2009, over a gambling debt. This event, you know, involved firearms being brought into the team's locker room, leading to suspensions for both players. It was a really unsettling situation.

This incident marked the beginning of his departure from the NBA. He was waived by the Wizards shortly after, and his professional basketball career effectively ended at that point. However, the legal troubles that followed were far more serious and, frankly, devastating. These later issues would have a much deeper and lasting impact on his life and, very certainly, his financial situation.

The most significant legal issue arose in 2011 when Crittenton was charged in connection with the shooting death of Jasmyn Gordon, a 22-year-old mother of four, in Atlanta. Prosecutors alleged that he fired shots from an SUV, intending to hit someone else, but instead, tragically, struck Ms. Gordon. This event, you know, shocked many people and brought his name back into the public eye in a very unfortunate way.

After a period of being a fugitive, he was eventually arrested and, in 2015, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault. He received a 23-year prison sentence. This outcome, you know, meant a complete end to any hopes of a return to professional sports and, really, a fundamental change in the course of his life. It was a very stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel.

How Legal Issues Impacted His Finances

When someone faces serious legal challenges, especially those leading to incarceration, the financial consequences can be absolutely staggering. For Javaris Crittenton, the shift from a high-earning NBA player to an individual facing severe legal charges meant a complete reversal of his financial prospects. The money he had earned, you know, quickly became subject to a whole new set of demands and pressures.

First and foremost, there were the legal fees. Defending against serious criminal charges, particularly a murder charge, requires very expensive legal representation. Lawyers, investigators, and court costs can quickly deplete even a substantial bank account. These expenses, you know, would have eaten away at his accumulated wealth at an alarming rate, much like how credit card delinquency rates can sometimes surge unexpectedly, showing a rapid financial downturn.

Then, there's the loss of future earning potential. Once he was involved in the locker room gun incident, and certainly after the murder charge, any chance of continuing his NBA career or securing lucrative endorsement deals vanished. His ability to earn money as a professional athlete, which was his primary source of income, was, quite simply, gone. This means no more large salaries, no more brand partnerships, nothing like that, which is a pretty big deal.

Furthermore, any assets he held might have been affected. While specific details about his personal assets are not publicly known, it's common for individuals in such situations to liquidate property or investments to cover legal costs or other obligations. The long prison sentence also means he has no opportunity to earn a significant income while incarcerated, which further limits his financial recovery. It's a very difficult situation to be in, financially speaking.

So, you know, the impact on his net worth would have been pretty devastating. What might have been a comfortable sum for life became a fund to fight legal battles, and then, eventually, a non-existent income stream. It's a sobering example of how quickly financial stability can erode when life takes such a dramatic turn, and it really shows the importance of making good choices.

Estimating Javaris Crittenton's Net Worth Today

Trying to pin down an exact figure for Javaris Crittenton's net worth today is, honestly, a really tough thing to do. Information about the finances of individuals, especially those who are incarcerated, isn't usually made public. What we can do, however, is make some educated guesses based on the known facts of his life and legal troubles. It's a bit like trying to figure out how to clear a stuffy nose fast—you have to consider all the different remedies and causes, and sometimes the answer isn't a single, simple thing.

As we talked about, he earned roughly $4 million from his NBA salaries. That sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But, you know, professional athletes also have many expenses, including agents' fees, taxes, living costs, and often, quite a bit of spending on lifestyle. So, not all of that $4 million would have been kept or invested.

The most significant drain on his finances would have been the legal costs associated with his various court cases, particularly the murder charge. These fees, for a case of that magnitude, could easily run into hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. It's a huge financial burden, really.

Given the length of his prison sentence, he has no current means of earning a substantial income. Any money he might have had would have been used up for legal defense, restitution if ordered, or simply for basic needs over time. It's very likely that any significant wealth he accumulated during his NBA career has been largely, if not entirely, depleted.

Therefore, while specific numbers are unavailable, it's widely believed that Javaris Crittenton's net worth today is likely very low, possibly even negative, due to the immense legal costs and the complete cessation of his earning capacity. It's a stark contrast to the financial promise he once held, and it really makes you think about how quickly fortunes can change.

Life Beyond the Court

Since his conviction and sentencing in 2015, Javaris Crittenton's life has, quite naturally, been very different from his days on the basketball court. He is currently serving his prison sentence, which means his daily existence is confined to the correctional system. This situation, you know, offers very little opportunity for financial growth or engagement with the outside world in a typical sense.

While incarcerated, individuals can sometimes engage in prison work programs that offer a very small wage, but this is usually just enough for basic necessities within the prison system. It's certainly not a source of income that would contribute to building or rebuilding any kind of significant net worth. So, his financial activity is pretty much at a standstill.

His story serves as a really powerful reminder of how choices made off the court can, you know, dramatically alter a person's life path, regardless of their past achievements or potential. It highlights the serious consequences that can arise when personal conduct veers sharply from the expectations placed upon public figures, especially those who had so much going for them.

The tale of Javaris Crittenton's finances is, in a way, a cautionary one, showing how quickly wealth can be lost when legal and personal troubles come into play. It's a sad ending to what began as a very promising sports career, and it truly makes you reflect on the fragility of fortune.

Frequently Asked Questions About Javaris Crittenton

What was Javaris Crittenton's NBA salary?

Javaris Crittenton's reported NBA salary earnings were, you know, around $4 million over parts of three seasons. This figure comes from his player contracts with the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Wizards. It's a pretty substantial sum for a young person, actually.

Is Javaris Crittenton still in jail?

Yes, Javaris Crittenton is, in fact, still in jail. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault in connection with a 2011 shooting. He received a 23-year prison sentence, so he continues to serve that time. It's a very long sentence, as you can imagine.

How much money did Javaris Crittenton lose?

While an exact figure is really hard to determine, it's pretty clear that Javaris Crittenton lost a very significant portion, if not all, of his NBA earnings due to legal fees, loss of future income, and other associated costs from his legal troubles. His initial NBA earnings were around $4 million, but much of that would have been used up. Learn more about financial challenges on our site, and you might also find insights into how life events impact personal wealth on this page.