*Contrary to popular belief, NBA first-round draft picks aren’t set for life.
Just ask David Harrison, a former University of Colorado standout who is making a different kind of living nowadays working at McDonald’s. According to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, Harrison was working at Mickey D’s as recently as two years ago.
“Harrison made $4.4 million before taxes during four seasons with Indiana and also played in China professionally for three seasons,” Spears said. “He said almost all of that money is gone. Now 32 and without a college degree, Harrison said he’s having a hard time finding a job.”
At 7 feet tall and 280 pounds, Harrison had the traits to potentially be a great find for the NBA. However, Harrison wasn’t able to live up to the hype as he averaged just five points and three rebounds per game over four seasons. As a result, Harrison’s time in the NBA was a fleeting moment that was never able to recapture.
“I was embarrassed because of where I could be in life,” Harrison told Yahoo Sports. “Everybody has to work and make a living somehow. I have two children. They don’t care where I work. They just need to eat.
“People were showing up trying to take my car. My house was in foreclosure. I didn’t have any income. I just had everything going out. I have child support to one son. I have a really big family and I have to take care of them, even through [sic] I’m not playing in the NBA. I needed money.”
Although Harrison time in the pros was brief, he is noted for being involved in the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl between the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and fans.
As noted by Spears, the incident was started by Ron Artest, who went into the stands on Nov. 19, 2004 and attacked a fan after a drink was thrown at him. Harrison, a rookie at the time, was accused of punching a 67-year-old fan during the brawl and was ultimately fined, placed on probation and forced to perform community service.
Despite the negativity surrounding the incident, Spears mentioned a the following funny story that happened afterwards:
“Ron says, ‘Hey, my bad guys. I’m sorry. I didn’t know I had so many real [expletives] on this team.” Then he says out loud, “Hey, do you think we are going to get fined?” Anthony [Johnson] says, “[Expletive] a fine, Ron. They are going to suspend us.’
“Then Ron was literally like my 6-year-old son and [said], ‘Oh man, you think they’re going to suspend us? I don’t want to be suspended.’ And everyone starts laughing.”
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