Ex-NBA center now working at ... Starbucks?

Sporting News | Getty Images. Former NBA star Vin Baker is now training to manage a Starbucks franchise in Rhode Island, the Providence Journal reports.

Life has taken a very surprising turn for former NBA player Vin Baker.

The Providence Journal reported the four-time NBA all star is training to manage a Starbucks (SBUX) in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The 6-foot-11 former Seattle Supersonic center thanks Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz for the opportunity. Schultz is the former owner of the team, which is now the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"In this company there are opportunities for everyone. I have an excellent situation here at Starbucks, and the people are wonderful," Baker told the newspaper.

Baker battled alcoholism toward the end of his 13-year career, and a series of financial troubles led to him losing nearly $100 million in earnings, the report said.

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Nevertheless, Baker has been sober for over four years and has remarried, the newspaper added.

"When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you're at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen," Baker said. "I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had a great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they're like 'Wow.' For me, I'm 43 and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces. I'm a father. I'm a minister in my father's church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate that this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life."

Click here for the full report.

Correction: A previous version gave a wrong description for the Starbucks store.



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