Being touted as the next Michael Jordan must put incredible pressure on your NBA career. There is no doubt that some of the players who were supposed to turn out Like Mike, really wish they had never attracted the comparisons, to begin with. Just ask Harold Miner, who is now a stay-at-home investment guru thanks to his $20 million net worth instead of being enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
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Call it a tragic end, call it fate. But being called the “next Michael Jordan” comes with an expectation that may be too much of a burden on some. Harold Miner was nothing short of a prodigy.
Coming out of USC, he was a high-flying superstar. He still holds the record for the most points scored by a USC player! And when he was in the NBA, he won the Dunk Contest. Twice.
A bright start to life in the NBA and the comparisons towards another one who could walk on air were evident. Superfluous, but necessary. The media were constantly looking for players who could be compared to Jordan.
So what happened? And how exactly is Harold making money from home?
Harold Miner’s game never translated to the NBA but he found his true calling at home!
Well, it looks as though Harold was never destined for NBA glory. But more on his short and yet, sweet, NBA career later. Miner despite burning out like a matchstick, managed to earn quite the dough.
According to a Yahoo article from 2010, the former USC Trojan earned about $20 million from the NBA. And he found a calling when he moved to Las Vegas and started dealing in real estate.
Subsequently, money in real estate often compounds well and as per our understanding, Miner might be a stay-at-home investor. But his war chest is full. And unlike other NBA athletes, he was diligent with his money.
But how exactly was Miner in the NBA?
How did Harold Miner the “next Michael Jordan” fare in the NBA?
Miner was known for his high-flying dunks and impressive athleticism. Before he even joined the NBA, he had already earned the nickname “Baby Jordan” in reference to Michael Jordan.
He was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, where he spent his first two seasons. Miner’s best season came in his rookie year when he was named the NBA Slam Dunk Champion and was also selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. But his career in the NBA can be called a fluke more than anything.
He largely never lived up to the hype and he later played two seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers before injuries forced him to retire from the league at the young age of 25. You can take a guess as to what kind of injuries derailed his career.
Right now though, he is a seasoned investor and deals in real estate. Despite the crushing weight of the comparisons, Miner’s bank balance never felt the burden.
