After his first season in Ukraine, Patrick Beverley actually got his chance to play in the NBA when the Lakers drafted him. Miami got Pat’s draft right, but released him soon after. He returned to Europe and he finally made his return in 2012 when the Houston Rockets signed him.
He went from Houston to the Clippers to the Timberwolves and finally to Los Angeles. Player of the world’s most popular NBA franchise. On a recent episode of Cold as Balls, Patrick Beverley talked about how hard it is to reach the NBA. He detailed that he lived off his debts and meager salary.
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Patrick Beverley paid off $1.4 million in debt
During the episode, Kevin Hart and Pat discussed the rise of the Lakers guard. A three-time All-Defensive player claimed his release clause from Spartak required him to be paid $1.6 million.
NBA buyouts at the time were just $250,000. So when Patrick Beverly joined the Rockets, he paid off his $1.4 million debt. He lived with his mother and confessed that his salary at the time was just $11,000.
Beverly: “I had to pay. I’m thinking, ‘They can pay $1.6 million, the NBA got it.’ My agent says, “No, I can only pay you $250,000.” So I’m thinking of him, “So who’s going to pay the rest of his $1.4 million?”
He continued: I live in the NBA with my mother. My mom goes out to get her nails done and I go to NBA practice. I came home and was like, ‘Okay, what did you have for dinner?’ That was my life, my first few years in the NBA,” Beverley explained.
Grind 🙏🏾 https://t.co/KHBC8SIdmk
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) December 30, 2022
Beverly’s tenacity paved the way for the NBA
Patrick Beverly became a certified Laker earlier this season. A milestone for a man who once played for an unknown Ukrainian team. The ascent was monumental. But for Beverly, it was a wild ride with many ups and downs.
But it was definitely his tenacity that got him this far. Beverley’s never-give-up attitude is admirable. He wants to fight to the last second. After all, he is driven to win.
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