I quit the NBA after making $18million in career – I now thrive in the G-League as I’m plotting my return T
A FORMER NBA Draft lottery pick has found himself out of the league at just 24, but his basketball career is far from over.
Jarrett Culver, 24, went from hearing his name called in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft to dropping to the G League to save his career.
Jarrett Culver has earned over $18 million in his careerCredit: Getty
The Timberwolves drafted Culver with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draftCredit: Getty
The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Culver with the No. 6 overall pick ahead of future perennial starters Tyler Herro, Cameron Johnson, and NBA champion Jordan Poole.
The Dallas-born guard was a standout youth player growing up in Texas.
Culver elected to stay home in the state, attended Texas Tech University for two seasons, and was selected as the Big 12 Player of the Year in his sophomore year.
He helped lead the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament championship game, where Virginia defeated them for the title.
Culver would enter the draft shortly after the defeat and was selected in the lottery by the Timberwolves.
The former Texas Tech star failed to live up to his lofty draft expectations with Minnesota and lasted two seasons with the team before being moved to the Memphis Grizzlies.
His most recent NBA experience came with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2022-23 season, where he appeared in 10 games.
Despite his struggles in the league, the 6-foot-6 guard has since signed with the NBA G-League and has seemingly revitalized his career.
Culver began to show why he was once such a coveted prospect, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists through 6 games last season.
And he picked up his strong play this season with Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets’ G-League team.
On Tuesday, Culver was named G League Player of the Week after averaging 32.7 PTS and 8.3 REB on 60% shooting for Rio Grande Valley.
The former lottery pick appears to have every intention of continuing to push for a long career in basketball and getting back into the NBA.
Before starting the 2023-24 G League season, he shared a series of snaps and detailed his excitement for the year on Instagram:
“Year 5! The race doesn’t get easier. We get stronger!”
In 144 NBA games, he has averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assistsCredit: Getty
