Former L.A. Clippers first-round pick Darius Miles is putting his belongings up for auction following his filing for bankruptcy in June, after earning $27 short of $62 million throughout his NBA career.
The 35-year-old has $460,385 in assets and $1.57 million in liabilities after a series of injuries, legal problems, and bad investments have left Miles asking the court to allow him to sell off his assets to pay creditors.
“I just hope this gives him a chance for a fresh start,” head of Auction Associates Virgil Straeter told Beth Hundsdorfer of the Belleville News-Democrat.
The former NBA swingman has jerseys signed by LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Latrell Sprewell, and even an NFL jersey signed by Michael Vick. He also has shoes signed by Lamar Odom and a commemorative bat signed by St. Louis Cardinals great Mark McGwire.
Arriving in the NBA a lanky 6-foot-9 and 185 pounds soaking wet, Miles enjoyed a two-season stint with the Clippers before transitioning to play a year-and-a-half with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who then traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers who signed him to a six-year, $48 million deal.
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Miles' career never quite reached the hype it had coming out of high school, as his 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game averages fell plenty short of the expectations from GMs across the league.
A troubled life outside the court and his difficulty adjusting to the NBA limelight, coupled with a resurfacing knee injury cut his career short. Miles' verbal clash with then-coach Maurice Cheeks sent red flags around the NBA, along with a suspension for substance abuse derailed his stint in the league, making it a point of no return.
