NBA legend who had £41million contract was left homeless after needless expenses

NBA legend Gilbert Arenas was left homeless and forced to sleep at the Golden State Warriors' stadium after he blew his rookie contract.

Arenas entered the 2001 draft with high expectations of a huge move, so went on a spending spree in similar vein to that of fellow basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal.

However, the opportunity to sign him was passed up by many teams in the first round, before he was eventually selected in the second round by the Warriors.

They could therefore only afford to hand him an $850,000 salary, which he had already spent and meant he had a $500-per-month budget.

Arenas told VladTV: "That’s gas money. Girlfriend, two dogs, I didn’t have any money.

"I couldn’t even drive back and forth, so I had to stay at the arena sometimes. I slept in the arena.

“I was basically homeless, but I just couldn’t afford the gas all the time.

“You think you’re going to go top 10, like s*** I’m thinking millions. So I bought an Escalade, had five TVs in it, four 12″ speakers.

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"Saw Gary Payton with the suede — had the suede on the top, suede roof. I had the big chain just like everybody else [that read] 'GJA'.”

Although the situation impacted his mental health, Arenas credited it with helping him become one of the sport's best stars.

He spent two years with the Warriors, who at the time were playing at the Oracle Arena but have since moved to the Chase Center in San Francisco.

His impressive performances then meant his money problems were soon over.

The three-time NBA All-Star was handed a six-year $65million (£41m) contract with Washington Wizards in 2003.

Arenas signed another six-year deal worth $111m in 2008, but ultimately left the side two years later.

He went on to finish his career with short spells with Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies and Shanghai Sharks.

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