5x NBA champion and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman had quite the life before his stardom in the NBA. As the saying goes, there is more to what meets the eye. Similarly, Rodman’s struggles on his journey to the NBA are appalling. Among the many jarring stories of his life before fame and success, Rodman’s harrowing experiences on the streets of Dallas stand out.

Dennis Rodman grew up in the bustling city of Dallas in the lone star state of Texas. With an estranged father, Rodman grew up under a single mother alongside his two sisters. Moreover, as he reached adulthood, Rodman experienced an unnatural growth spurt which landed him on the hardwood. However, the Chicago Bulls legend failed to embark on the traditional route to the NBA through college. Subsequently, he landed on the crime-filled streets of Dallas, where he almost ended his career.

Dennis Rodman reneged on his two-year scholarship only to almost end up in jail

After an uneventful childhood, at the age of 19, Dennis Rodman witnessed an unnatural growth spurt that shot his height from 5’9” to 6’8” feet. Consequently, Rodman made the best of his newfound size. After a display of his talent in local gyms across Dallas, Rodman got a tryout at Cooke County (junior) College in Gainesville, Texas, where he landed a two-year scholarship. However, Rodman did not have the best time in college and found himself back on the streets.

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In a Sports Illustrated feature from 1988, Rodman admitted to not fitting in the college environment and failing academically. He summed up his experience, “It got to me, I said, I ain’t going to make it now. What do I want to do this for?” He eventually dropped out of the program and the two-year scholarship and returned to Dallas Streets.

However, during his time on the crime-filled streets of Dallas, Rodman had dark clouds looming over his future. Looking back at this dark time of his life, Rodman reflected,?”The way I was going I would’ve ended up in jail for sure.”?However, the future Hall-of-Famer would get his things in order after his mother finally decided to kick him out of the house.?

Rodman was used to doing menial jobs at an early age. Before getting the scholarship at the Cooke County (junior) College, he made a living by cleaning cars. He worked at a place called Henry Butts Oldsmobile, where he made $3.5/hr for washing cars. He also worked at the Dallas Forthworth International Airport as a part-time Janitor.

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Incidentally, Rodman’s fear of landing in jail almost became a reality when he was arrested one night for stealing watches at his job in the airport. Though he only spent a night in prison, Rodman’s harrowing experience changed his outlook forever.