I’m an NBA Hall of Famer and have made $3.5 million over my career – but I quit to find a regular job that makes $14,000 a year
ADRIAN Dantley has been determined to give back to his community since retiring from the NBA in 1992.
The six-time All-Star traded the relentless life of a pro basketball star for a job as a high school crossguard.
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Dantley spent fifteen years in the NBA and earned an estimated $3.5 million from his stints on seven different teams.
An underappreciated talent, Dantley won the Mr. Basketball USA Award and the Oscar Robertson Trophy during his rise to the big leagues.
He was an All-American at Notre Dame before being selected No. 6 overall by the Buffalo Braves in 1976.
Dantley’s shooting skills – particularly on the free throw line – earned him the Rookie of the Year award that same year.
And he would lead the NBA in points he scored in the 1981 and 1984 seasons while playing for the Utah Jazz.
Dantley spent brief stints with the Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks and Italy’s Breeze Arese before retiring in 1991.
He soon began his coaching career in schools around Maryland before returning to the NBA in 2003.
Dantley was an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets and spent eight years in Colorado.
But since leaving Denver, the Washington native has been determined not to feel comfortable in retirement.
He took a position in Silver Spring, Maryland coaching young players and helping out in various roles at Northwood High School.
This included acting as a border guard two hours a day, helping the children safely cross the busy roads near the facility.
Per Sportscasting.comMontgomery County Civil Service records show that Dantley was paid $14,685 a year for his selfless work
Speaking to ABC News in 2013, Dantley explained: “[People ask me] Why do you want to be a border guard?
“It’s not beneath me! i’m a normal guy I only played basketball. I’m a Hall of Famer, but I’m a regular guy. I like to work.”
“I do it to be there for the kids. I definitely saved the lives of two children.” [on the crossing].”
The Jazz’s social media team returned to school in 2022 to meet Dantley, who continued to work at the crossroads and in the gym with the local kids.
As one of the kids crossed the street, he asked Dantley, “I didn’t know you were famous?”
The Hall of Famer replied: “I’m not famous. I’m just a border guard.”
Dantley’s story resonated with jazz fans who flocked to the comments section to share memories of him.
One wrote: “Thanks for that! I enjoyed watching him play. He was a Tor genius.”
Another said: “Growing up, there were posters of Adrian Dantley on our walls.”
While a third added: “6x All-Star. Hall of Famers. All-time jazz legend. Respect! You rock, AD.”
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