Shawn Kemp Net Worth, Early Life, Career, Business

As of 2023, Shawn Kemp has an estimated net worth of around $5 million.

Shawn Kemp is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 14 seasons. He is known for his ferocious dunks and athletic rebounds. However, Kemp was one of the most exciting players of the 1990s.

At his peak, he was considered one of the best power forwards in the league. Although his career declined in later years due to weight and off-court issues, Kemp earned over $91 million in salary over his career.

Shawn Kemp Net Worth

Shawn Kemp has an estimated net worth of around $5 million as of 2023. He earned over $91 million in NBA salary during his 14-year career. Also, his net worth has fallen substantially since his playing days ended.

During the peak of his career in the mid-1990s, Kemp was among the highest-paid players in the NBA, including a 7-year, $107 million contract extension he signed in 1994. However, he squandered significant portions of those career earnings after retirement.

Following his NBA career, Kemp struggled for many years with drug and alcohol addiction issues. The combination of lavish spending during his playing days and costly life choices after retirement caused his net worth to plummet. By the late 2000s, there were reports of Kemp going through severe financial distress, dealing with mortgage foreclosures and tax liens against his remaining assets.

After hitting rock bottom, Kemp eventually sought help and regained control of his life. He repaired relations with the Seattle SuperSonics franchise. Also, he got involved in some restaurant businesses, including becoming an owner of Oskar’s Kitchen in Seattle.

Early Life and Education

Shawn Kemp was born on November 26, 1969, in Elkhart, Indiana. He had a difficult childhood, living in poverty and moving frequently. He never met his father, and his mother struggled with drug addiction.

As a teenager, Kemp was already over 6’5″ but did not play organized basketball until his junior year of high school. He attended Concord High School in Elkhart for his senior year. He began to excel at basketball, averaging 25.2 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 7.6 blocks per game.

However, his grades and attendance record could have been better, so he struggled to attract scholarship offers. He ultimately enrolled at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. After a year at community college, Kemp declared for the 1989 NBA draft.

NBA Career Beginnings

The Seattle SuperSonics selected Shawn Kemp with the 17th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft. However, Kemp arrived at his first training camp overweight, leading the SuperSonics to send him to play in Italy for a season to get in shape.

When he returned, Kemp had trimmed down and begun developing his athletic, high-flying style of play. By his second NBA season, Kemp secured a role as a key contributor off the bench. He utilized his rebounding and inside scoring to make an impact.

In the 1990-91 season, Kemp played 65 games and averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game as a power forward. While raw and unpolished, Kemp brought energy and athleticism off the bench that excited fans.

However, Kemp showed his potential when he broke out for 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. That includes a dominating 32-point, 14-rebound performance to help eliminate the Phoenix Suns.

All-Star Peak Seasons

Kemp’s breakthrough occurred in the 1993-94 season when he first earned an All-Star selection, averaging 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Kemp posted career-highs of 21.7 ppg, 11.4 RPG, and 2.2 BPG the following season while leading the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals.

Although they ultimately lost to the Chicago Bulls and MVP Michael Jordan, Kemp emerged as one of the NBA’s elite power forwards. His athletic dunking and swaggering style made him hugely popular around the league.

Kemp would earn three more All-Star nods in the subsequent seasons as he averaged over 18 points and 10 rebounds per game in his prime.

However, he formed a lethal pick-and-roll combination with point guard Gary Payton as the SuperSonics became perennial contenders.

Later Career and Life After Basketball

In the late 1990s, weight issues and off-court problems took their toll on Kemp, significantly impacting his production and durability. After several seasons of declining play, he left Seattle as a free agent in 2000 and bounced to several teams, including Portland, Orlando, and Cleveland.

He played his final NBA season with the Magic in 2003-04 when he was 34 years old and a shell of his former self. Kemp would eventually struggle with drug and alcohol addiction issues after retirement. Over time, he sought help and regained control of his life.

Kemp ultimately repaired his relationship with the city of Seattle and the SuperSonics/Thunder franchise in the late 2010s. He also became involved in some Seattle restaurant businesses, including becoming an owner of Oskar’s Kitchen.

While squandering the vast earnings from his playing career, Kemp rebuilt his life and financial stability in retirement. His experiences now serve as cautionary examples for young athletes struggling to manage fame and fortune.

Source of Income

Shawn Kemp became an NBA superstar in the 1990s, known for his high-flying dunks and tenacious rebounding as a power forward. He spent over a decade starring for the Seattle SuperSonics, racking multiple All-Star appearances and leading them to the 1996 NBA Finals. At his peak, the “Reign Man” was among the league’s most popular and dominant big men.

However, off-court issues took their toll on Kemp. Problems with weight, injuries, and substance abuse led to a rapid decline in production in later years. He bounced between teams, exiting the league for good after the 2003-04 season. Kemp earned around $91 million in NBA salary during his 14 seasons.

Post-retirement, money troubles, and addiction issues plagued Kemp for years. Lavish spending habits and life struggles left the former All-Star with financial distress – a shocking fall for someone who once signed a $107 million contract.

Personal Life and Relationships

Shawn Kemp fathered seven children with six women during and after his NBA career. He was never married, though he was engaged to Marvena L. Nices for several years.

While still in the NBA, Kemp had three children between 1993 and 1997, though he was not involved heavily in their lives initially. After he retired from basketball in 2003-04, Kemp fathered four more children out of wedlock from 2005-2006 at the height of his substance abuse struggles.

In 2009, Kemp checked into rehab for cocaine and alcohol addiction. He acknowledged battling these demons for years, exacerbated by the instability brought on by his excessive partying and multiple relationships since retiring from the league. “I had a couple of bad years there. I was probably doing enough drugs to kill a small village,” Kemp admitted in 2010.

FAQs on Shawn Kemp Net Worth

What was Shawn Kemp’s nickname?

Kemp’s famous nickname was “The Reign Man.” It was a nod to his ability to dominate games with his high-flying dunks and rugged rebounding, as well as a reference to the Seattle rain and SuperSonics name.

How many times was Shawn Kemp an NBA All-Star?

Kemp was selected to 6 consecutive All-Star games at the peak of his career from 1993 to 1998. He stood out with his athletic, exciting style of play during an era filled with great power forwards.

Why did Shawn Kemp leave the Seattle SuperSonics?

After several seasons of declining production and questions about his conditioning and commitment, Kemp left the Sonics in 2000 at age 31 via a trade. Seattle had grown tired of his issues staying focused, and the team wanted to rebuild.

What states did Shawn Kemp average at his best?

Kemp posted career-best numbers in the 1995-96 season: 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while shooting 50% from the field. It capped his peak that saw 6 straight seasons averaging 18+ points and 10+ rebounds.

Bottom Lines

Shawn Kemp’s journey has been a rollercoaster on and off the court. His ferocious athleticism and highlight-reel dunking ability made him an NBA superstar in the 1990s.

Dominant statistical peak seasons, they resulted in multi-time All-Star honors and a memorable run to the 1996 Finals. However, the second half of Kemp’s career flamed out quickly as personal issues derailed his productivity.