Net Worth Ranker
What Is Artis Gilmore’s Net Worth?
As of 2024, Artis Gilmore, the former American professional basketball player, has an estimated net worth of $5 million. This wealth has been amassed through a successful career in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), strategic endorsement deals, and various business ventures after his retirement from professional basketball. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2011.
Early Life and Career Foundation
Artis Gilmore was born on September 21, 1949, in Chipley, Florida. Growing up in a large family of ten children, he experienced a modest upbringing where his father worked as a fisherman. Standing tall at 6’5″ by the age of 15, Gilmore’s natural athletic ability led him to basketball. Financial constraints prevented him from pursuing football, his initial interest. He attended Roulhac High School in Chipley before transferring to Carver High School in Dothan, Alabama, where he graduated in 1967, already recognized as a third-team All-American. He then began his collegiate basketball career at Gardner–Webb Junior College, where he showcased remarkable talent.
Gilmore then transferred to Jacksonville University, leading the Dolphins to the 1970 NCAA Division I championship game. Despite a loss to the UCLA Bruins, Gilmore’s performance was outstanding, and he remains the top player in rebounds per game in Division I history with career average of 22.7 rebounds. At Jacksonville University, Gilmore became one of five college basketball players ever to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds over his career at 24.3 and 22.7. Gilmore led the NCAA in rebounding both years at Jacksonville, and his career average of 22.7 rebounds per game is still the highest in NCAA Division I history.
ABA and NBA Career Earnings and Contracts
In 1971, Artis Gilmore was drafted by both the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. To ensure he remained in the ABA, the Kentucky Colonels signed him to a lucrative 10-year contract worth $2.5 million. His immediate impact was significant, earning him both the ABA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in his debut season. This contract was a cornerstone of his early financial success. Following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, Gilmore entered the special ABA dispersal draft and was selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls. He then signed a $1.1 million contract over three years with them.
After the ABA disbanded, four of its teams (Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs) were absorbed into the NBA in the ABA–NBA merger, and the remainder, including the Kentucky Colonels, folded. As a result, Gilmore went into the special 1976 ABA dispersal draft, and was chosen first overall by the Chicago Bulls. He signed with them for $1.1 million over three years. During his first season with the Bulls, Gilmore led the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks, while also helping the Bulls hold their opponents to a league-best 98 points per game.
Later in his NBA career, Gilmore played for the San Antonio Spurs. Public records indicate that during the 1985-86 season, his salary with the Spurs was $669,000. He concluded his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, where he earned $863,000 in the 1987-88 season. These contracts and earnings significantly contributed to his $5 million net worth.
Career Achievements and Post-Retirement Ventures
Throughout his professional career, Artis Gilmore achieved numerous accolades that boosted both his reputation and earnings potential. In the ABA, he was a five-time All-Star, an ABA MVP, and an ABA Playoff’s Most Valuable Player, leading the Kentucky Colonels to the ABA Championship in 1975. Transitioning to the NBA, he was a six-time NBA All-Star and earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1978.
Post-retirement, Gilmore has engaged in various business ventures and public speaking engagements. While specific financial details of these ventures aren’t widely publicized, they have contributed to his continued financial stability and helped maintain his net worth. He was named an NBA All-Star multiple times and consistently ranked among the league leaders in rebounds and field goal percentage. His contributions were pivotal in elevating the Bulls’ competitiveness during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Artis Gilmore’s illustrious career culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to his legacy in the sport. His influence extends beyond the court, inspiring future generations of players with his dedication, skill, and sportsmanship, making him a true icon in basketball history.
