Meet Jamal Mashburn, he is a former NBA player who earned the nickname “The Monster Mash”. Born and raised in the Bronx, he chose a career different from his father. His dad was a former heavyweight boxer and New York City police officer.
Mashburn learned how to play basketball at the iconic Rucker Park and pivoted towards it as a career while at the University of Kentucky. He became the university’s fourth-leading career scorer and earned consensus First Team All-American honors by his junior year. Also, he helped his team reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
His impressive skills caught the attention of several NBA teams. He was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1993 draft. During his time in the league, he also played for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Hornets.
However, he was forced into an early retirement by a series of injuries, resulting in him retiring early in 2006 after undergoing micro-fracture surgery for chronic knee issues. He averaged 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for his career prior to retirement.
In his entire career in the NBA, Mashburn earned $75,623,634 in total earnings, according to TalkSport. However, his business ventures have seen him generate a personal net worth of $100 million, the outlet added. It said his net worth is more than 2024 NBA Finals stars Kyrie Irving ($90 million net worth) and Jaylen Brown ($80 million).
According to TalkSport, Mashburn makes his money investing in a total of 38 Outback Steakhouse franchises, as well as 40 Papa John’s franchises, and three Dunkin’ Donut franchises.
In 2012, he made an attempt to purchase the then-New Orleans Hornets but his bid fell short. Mashburn would eventually become part of a group that would buy French basketball team Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez.
Also, the former NBA star owns six Toyota and Lexus car dealerships nationwide. What is more, he is into real estate in the Lexington/Central Kentucky area and a partner in Ol Memorial Stable, which is involved in racing horses professionally.
In addition to his businesses, he is a Board Member of the ROI Acquisition Corporation and a Board Member of FairBridge Hotels International.
“For me, being in business is always something I wanted to do. When I was a kid riding on trains in New York, I saw older people carrying a briefcase. I was always curious what was in them. That’s probably my original inspiration,” Mashburn told China Daily.
“I had talent as a basketball player, so I used it as a vehicle to open doors and meet people. I am not a guy who wants to be a one-night wonder. I want to continue my legacy as a businessman. It gives people a chance to see me as more than just a former pro athlete.”
