Net Worth Ranker
What Is Nick Van Exel’s Net Worth?
Nick Van Exel, a former American professional basketball player, has an estimated net worth of $20 million. This valuation primarily reflects his earnings during his 13-year NBA career, along with subsequent income from coaching positions.
Early Life and Collegiate Career
Nickey Maxwell Van Exel was born on November 27, 1971, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His early life was primarily shaped by his mother, Joyce. Nick attended a private high school in Kenosha where he played basketball. From 1987 to 1989, he scored 1,282 points. As a junior and senior, he led the WISAA state tournament in scoring, demonstrating his early talent and dedication to the sport. He was named to the Associated Press All-State team as a senior, marking him as one of the top players in Wisconsin during his high school career.
Van Exel initially faced academic challenges that prevented him from immediately entering a four-year university. To improve his grades, he attended a community college for several years. His academic efforts paid off, leading to his acceptance into the University of Cincinnati, where he played under coach Bob Huggins. As the point guard for the Cincinnati Bearcats, Van Exel averaged 12.3 points and 2.9 assists per game. During his tenure, the Bearcats won their league tournament and advanced to the NCAA Final Four after securing four NCAA tournament wins. Van Exel’s contributions helped Cincinnati achieve significant success on the national stage. At one time, he held the Cincinnati Bearcats’ all-time record in three-point field goals made (147), attempted (411), and percentage (.358). These records have since been surpassed.
NBA Career and Earnings
Nick Van Exel’s NBA career began when the Los Angeles Lakers selected him in the second round (37th overall) of the 1993 NBA draft. His selection marked the beginning of a notable professional career. During his time with the Lakers, Van Exel quickly became a key player, helping the team return to the playoffs in 1995 after they had missed the postseason in 1994. His speed and ability to make crucial shots earned him the nickname “Nick the Quick.” Over his career with the Lakers, Van Exel averaged 14.9 points per game and 7.3 assists. These statistics underscore his importance as both a scorer and playmaker for the team.
After five seasons as the starting point guard for the Lakers, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets. In Denver, he achieved several career highs, reflecting his expanded role and increased responsibilities. Over four seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged 17.7 points per game and 8.4 assists per game. During the 2001-2002 season, he averaged 21.4 points per game through 45 games before being traded. His time with the Nuggets highlighted his ability to perform at a high level even on a team that was struggling.
In 2002, Nick Van Exel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a seven-player deal, which also included a 2002 first-round draft pick. Although his role in Dallas was smaller compared to his time with the Nuggets, he remained an efficient player. He then played a career-low 39 games with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 12.6 points and 5.3 assists per game before being traded to the Portland Trailblazers in 2004. With Portland, he played in 53 games before being waived.
Van Exel then signed with the San Antonio Spurs, stating that it would be his final year in the NBA. During the 2005-2006 season, he averaged career lows and was limited to 65 games due to knee and elbow injuries. After the Spurs were eliminated in the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks, Van Exel announced his retirement. Throughout his NBA career, Nick Van Exel earned a total of $74,408,867 in NBA salary. One significant contract he signed with the Denver Nuggets guaranteed him $50.5 million over five years, with potential earnings reaching $77 million over seven years based on specific incentives. However, he only played four years with the Nuggets before being traded. His highest salaries came while playing for the Portland Trailblazers and Golden State Warriors, where he earned $11,933,252 and $11,956,625, respectively. These figures reflect his peak earning years and his value as a seasoned NBA player.
Coaching Career
Following his retirement from professional basketball, Nick Van Exel transitioned into coaching. On October 15, 2009, Texas Southern University hired him as an assistant coach for the Tigers’ men’s basketball team, marking his entry into collegiate coaching. His responsibilities involved player development and strategic planning.
On September 8, 2010, Van Exel joined the Atlanta Hawks as a player development instructor, a role he held for three seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13). In this position, he focused on enhancing the skills and performance of individual players on the team. In 2013-14, he became an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, further advancing his NBA coaching career. In 2015, Van Exel was named head coach of the Texas Legends, an NBA D-League team. This role gave him the opportunity to lead a team and develop young talent aspiring to reach the NBA. Van Exel returned to the professional ranks in 2016 when the Memphis Grizzlies hired him as an assistant coach. After two years as a scout with the Dallas Mavericks, Nick returned to the Atlanta Hawks as an assistant coach in 2021. These coaching positions contributed to his overall earnings and maintained his involvement in professional basketball.
Personal Life
Nick Van Exel’s personal life has faced significant challenges. His son, Nickey, was convicted of murdering his friend and sentenced to 60 years in prison on January 31, 2013. Nickey fatally shot his best friend, Bradley Eyo, and dumped the body in Lake Ray Hubbard because he feared Eyo would report their series of bank robberies to the authorities. This deeply personal tragedy has had a significant impact on Van Exel and his family.
