Former NBA player Joe Smith said he was in a “deep depression” during a “low point” when he only had $3,000 to his name.
Smith, who earned $61 million over his 16-year career, made the stunning revelation during a recent interview with Vlad TV — weeks after going viral when his wife, Kisha Chavis, appeared to film his furious reaction to learning about her OnlyFans account.
“It was a very low point,” Smith said during an interview on Nov. 22. “When I say I was in a deep, deep, deep depression, like mentally messed up, I’m telling you I was there.”
Smith recalled appearing on the CNBC reality TV show “Back in the Game,” which was hosted by former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, who mentored former athletes and entertainers “who’ve fallen on hard times and need help getting back on their feet financially,” according to the show description.
The MLB broadcaster, who owns a number of successful businesses, would advise the cast on “how to reduce their crushing debt, repair their reputations, and launch new business careers so they can re-charge their financial futures.”
Smith went on to explain that he “was kind of left out to dry” after the show ended.
“But that TV show, I thought would help more with the stuff they were saying they would do, and saying that they would help me with,” he said.
“But once we finished shooting that was it. I couldn’t get in touch with anybody at the TV show… So I was kind of just left out to dry after that show aired.”
Smith said he didn’t regret doing the show.
“Because I got a lot of feedback from people that went through what I went through,” he said. “They were very understanding and they were giving me input and insight on what I could possibly do to kind of elevate a little bit of that.”
Smith, who said his NBA pension “hasn’t kicked in yet,” added it’s important for athletes to tell their stories for the next generation.
Smith previously told Rodriguez he was living paycheck-to-paycheck in a 2018 interview on the show.
The former 6-foot-9 power forward last played with the Lakers in 2011.
After taxes, agent fees and management fees, Smith said he only pocketed about $18 million over the course of his career.
Smith started a basketball academy teaching skills and development training in 2015.
His financial struggles were made public in October, when his wife said she turned to OnlyFans because they were in need of money, according to a video obtained by TMZ, which showed the couple arguing about the situation.
“I can’t believe I’m sitting here just finding out you got an OnlyFans page,” Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, said in the video, which has since made its way around social media.
“Out of all these years, the disrespect that comes with it. You could’ve talked to me before you did it.”
Smith brought up “this situation right now that I’m going through with my wife” during the interview with Vlad TV.
“We don’t understand the type of influence that we have around the world,” he said. “I haven’t been in the media or I haven’t been in the social eye in a long time.
“And just for my name to be attached to this and see this thing blow up the way it is, it’s something that we all have to realize as players that when people see us and when people make judgment… or want to be affiliated with us, we have to be real careful because any small thing, it’s not going to be whoever that person’s name is in the headlines, it’s going to be ours.
“So that’s one thing that I’m really getting out of this even though I haven’t been in the public eye in years.”
Chavis is a former adult actress, according to TMZ, which reported she went by the name Yasmine Pendavis.
Smith spent three seasons with Golden State before he bounced around the league, landing with the 76ers, Timberwolves, Pistons, Bucks, Nuggets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Thunder, Hawks, Nets and Lakers.
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