Meet Adrian Dantley, he is a former NBA player who became a six-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion during his time in the league. In 1981 and 1984, he led the league in scoring with an average of over 30 points per game, earning him the title of 1984 NBA Comeback Player of the Year. Upon retirement, he finished ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
His career in the NBA started when he was drafted sixth overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft by the Buffalo Braves. He later played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
After retiring in 1991, Dantley reinvented himself as a coach, spending eight years in Colorado as an assistant for the Denver Nuggets. He was subsequently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, according to Talk Sport.
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After a successful career in the NBA as a player, the general presumption is that Dantley should be enjoying life like other NBA stars including Magic Johnson. However, the 69-year-old decided to give back to his local community.
In this regard, he took up a role in Silver Spring, Maryland, coaching young players and helping out with different roles across Eastern Middle School and New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, according to Talk Sport.
One of those roles involves being a crossing guard, helping children safely cross the busy roads near the school for two hours a day, the platform noted.
Dantley made over $3.5 million during his playing days and lives in a $1.1 million property he bought in 1990. However, his current service earns him just $14,685.50 a year, as per Montgomery County civil service records.
Asked why he would choose his current job that paid him just $14,000 a year, he responded, “Well, basically, I didn’t work last year, so I got bored sitting around the house.”
He continued, “Usually I’m a routine guy. So I was in the weight room one day, and some guys were in there talking. They said they liked to do some things for some kids, but just a little bit, maybe one hour a day.
“And then one guy said you know what, my wife is a crossing guard! And I said to myself, that’d be a good job for me. That way I can stay busy, spend some time with the kids, do something for the community, and that’s why I’m here.”
The former NBA player also took the job for the healthcare benefits and plans on staying in the job for many years.
“I think I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” Dantley told Utah Jazz’s official YouTube channel in 2022. “10 years [and] probably do it till I go under.”
Dantley also serves as a referee for youth 10-and-under basketball games around his local area. He has been refereeing for about 11 years.
