East St. Louis homeboy Darius Miles had it all: literally leaping from the gym of ESL Senior High into the NBA as a first round draft pick by the L.A. Clippers; signing a $9 million contract and, over the course of his career; earning over $60 million.
But, unfortunately, he now finds himself in bankruptcy court, rather than the familiar surroundings of a basketball court – a sad commentary on what was once a career filled with much promise.
And having spent some time in a few professional sports press boxes, over the years, I can assure you that there are more than a few bigoted local and national sports media types who are now enjoying Miles’ fulfillment of the stereotype of the “dumb black jock who blew it.” It won’t enhance their net worth, but validates their illusion of racial superiority. But that should be the least of Darius’ concerns.
As a native of ESL, I derive no pleasure in writing a financial epitaph for Darius Miles. Over the years I have been critical of Miles’ poor choice of miscreants as companions, his brushes with the law, attempting to check a loaded gun at St. Louis-Lambert International Airport, or his lack of professionalism and work ethic relative to the NBA.
In an article back in August 2011, I wrote that “I only hope that between his frequent screw-ups, court appearances and media humiliation that he has something left by the time that he’s 40 years old.”
It’s 2016 and Darius Miles, 34, has assets of $460,385 with $1.57 million in liabilities. He is officially broke, a fate of which I warned him.
But, it was inevitable. I recall dining in a FairviewHeights establishment and watching as Miles and his entourage strolled in for a meal, with Darius paying the tab. My server informed me that this was a frequent habit of Miles’. I wonder if any of those “homies” are at his side now that he’s broke.
I also wonder what his late mother, Ethel, would say. She once called me, back in 2004, and read me the riot act for writing a critical column about “her baby.” Once she calmed down, I attempted to explain that my words were designed to serve as a warning to Darius to avoid the fate of 60 percent of NBA players whose careers end in financial ruin within five years of retirement due to financial irresponsibility (cars, excessive spending, women, paternity issues, bad business deals and poor investments).
Just ask Allen Iverson, Scottie Pippen, Latrell Sprewell, Shawn Kemp and Dennis Rodman. And having only a high school diploma doesn’t bode well for Darius’ future either. I only hope that a mentor will step forward (like a Magic Johnson or Shaquille O’Neal) who can help him navigate the turbulent waters of reinventing himself.
He’s yet a young man with many years of earning potential. Now is the time for him to finally become serious about his future, if there is to be one.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
