Klay Thompson – Estimated $150 Million

Klay Alexander Thompson, an elite American basketball talent, has left an indelible mark on the sport. Thompson’s prowess was on full display when he helped the U.S. National Team secure victories at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Drafted 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2011, he has become a cornerstone of the NBA team. With an estimated net worth of $150 million, Thompson is revered as one of the league’s all-time sharpshooters. While his primary earnings stem from his stellar basketball career, he also rakes in substantial income through lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Panini, BodyArmor, Electronic Arts, Gillette, and NERF.

Brittney Griner – Basketballer, $5 Million

Britney Griner is a renowned American basketballer who has many achievements to her name. Born in 1990, the athlete distinguished herself at Baylor University where she became the only NCAA basketballer to record 500 blocked shots and 2000 score points. Griner’s net worth stands at $5 million which comes largely from her sporting career. She earns about $227K monthly even though she’d once earned $600K for three months while playing for a Chinese team. Griner also played for the American national team at the Summer Olympics in Brazil and Tokyo and won the gold medal together with her team on both occasions.

Bill Russell – $10 Million

The late Bill Russell dominated the NBA in the ’50s and ’60s with his consistent star performances. He played as a center for ‘Boston Celtics’ for thirteen loyal years winning 11 NBA championships. During the height of his career, he captained the gold-medal-winning US national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Russell’s rookie deal in the ’50s got him a contract of $24,000 which was a major breakthrough for the player. In his later days, he led the ‘Boston Celtics’ as a coach and the team won two titles. With a hefty net worth of $10 million, Russell has left an indelible mark in the sports industry.

Kobe Bryant – $600 Million

As far as professional athletes go, Kobe Bryant rightfully earned the nickname ‘G.O.A.T.’ thanks to his stellar skills on the basketball court. His statistics showcase all his incredible achievements through the years, from becoming a five-time ‘NBA’ champion to bagging the MVP award twice! Believe it or not, apart from being a ‘Laker,’ the superstar baller was also a lucrative philanthropist, businessman, and a beloved endorser for several popular brands, like ‘Nike.’ With this level of success, it’s no wonder Bryant was able to amass a staggering $600 million fortune before his untimely demise in 2020. Indeed, he will surely be missed!

LeBron James – $440 Million

The NBA superstar LeBron James is making a great deal of money – all thanks to his spectacular performance in the basketball court which led him to win three championships along with four MVPs. Other than his contracts with teams like Los Angeles Lakers, he has amassed tons of riches from crazy billion dollar endorsement deals like the one he has with Nike. You will be surprised to know that he was signed by Nike during his high school, that’s way before he became a professional player. Seems like he is on his way to becoming the world’s richest athlete!