House flips, opportunity zone investing, student housing—name a real estate strategy, Evan Turner, former NBA player, has probably done it. Unlike most professional athletes, Evan left the league with more assets than at the peak of his career. He was buying real estate, building homes, and making moves while working a grueling six days a week schedule, knowing that he had to use this opportunity to build something that went far beyond basketball.
Evan grew up in the inner city with a single parent. The realities of struggling for money were all too real for him when he got hit with millions of dollars in his early 20s. He struggled to spend any money for the first few years of his NBA career, which led him to have a surplus that he used in all the right ways. Relying on NBA veterans around him, Evan knew that to build wealth, he needed to up his assets. The most tangible thing he could think of investing in? Real estate.
Now, with many deals under his belt, Evan has become proficient in almost every aspect of buying, funding, and profiting on a real estate deal. He, like many other investors, is seen as lucky for buying consistently throughout the past decade. But Evan knows that the rewards he reaps today came from smart decisions he made years ago. Now, even after he’s out of the game, Evan is still able to bring in seven-figure paychecks. But this time, thanks to smart strategizing, he’ll get to keep most of it.
David:
This is the BiggerPockets podcast show, 686.
Evan:
I’m a competitor and I compete at basketball at a high level, but I’m good on a journey and minding my own business. You understand? I think one thing that occurs as you get older, even doing contract negotiations, the humility in that is making sure you don’t miss out on your money or the right deal or situation worrying about what the person left the right has. You know what I mean? It’s like a marriage, that relationship has nothing to do with anybody besides those two…