Former Boston Celtics star Antoine Walker is a living example of an NBA player blowing through a huge fortune while in the NBA and declaring bankruptcy after retirement.
Walker earned an estimated $107.7 million during his 12-year NBA career, which he played in five different cities. However, despite earning over one hundred million dollars during the 2000s decade, Toine was penniless two years after his retirement in 2008 and had to file for bankruptcy. Fortunately, Walker recovered from his financial downfall and returned to a comfortable life.
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Looking back on his financial struggles, Walker was interviewed by ESPN in 2014 and asked for his advice to current NBA players to help them avoid the mistakes he made. One of his answers stood out.
“Another thing we need to address with them is the women. About them picking the right woman,” said Walker. “You get to taking care of them, buying them cars, jewelry, all of those types of things for them, and then you all end up breaking up, or if she leaves you, that’s all gone, too! That’s just like gambling. You’re taking a gamble.”
Walker’s girlfriend of 10 years left him when he lost everything
Now 49, Walker remains single and has never been married. However, he was in a long-term relationship with “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada. Lozada was working as an assistant for a South Beach lawyer when he met Walker, who was then playing for the Miami Heat. They dated, fell in love, and later got engaged in 2007.
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However, Toine’s career took a wrong turn when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves that year. The following year, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, who later waived him. With no team, Walker’s resources started to dwindle. He attempted a comeback, but it was unsuccessful.
He decided to play Puerto Rico just to make ends meet. But three months later, he declared bankruptcy. Walker claims Lozada reaped the benefits of his wealth, especially after he signed a massive six-year $71 million extension deal in 1999, but then left him when the bank account turned zero.
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A lack of financial literacy was a reason for his downfall
In fairness to Evelyn, Antoine didn’t blame everything on her. During an appearance on the “Financial Freestyle” podcast with Ross Mac, the 3-time NBA All-Star admitted that a lack of education, particularly financial literacy, caused his money well to dry up quickly.
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“The money came so fast without the education,” Walker said. “I think we have to start teaching our kids about their lifestyle. Because when you’re making money, … everything is going good — you’re buying cars, you’ve got houses, you’ve got jewelry, you got all these things going on.”
“But at some point, the money’s going to stop coming in the way it came in the beginning. Are you able and are you prepared to maintain that lifestyle? You have to be ready to withstand that storm,” he added.
Walker is not only spot on about financial literacy, but he is also right about an NBA player being with the right woman. Two of the three billionaires produced by the NBA — Magic Johnson and LeBron James — married their high school sweethearts.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.