In professional sports, the influence of athletes extends far beyond the confines of the field. Similar was the case with the 2x NBA All-Star Baron Davis. Many players, including Chris Paul and Kevin Durant, launched their own production companies following LeBron James’s success. Davis has also made his own empire whose inspiration can be from his old mentor Magic Johnson. However, this time, the former Charlotte Hornets point guard brought up a name that hasn’t been heard in the NBA for a long time.

In a recent episode of the ‘UNINTERRUPTED‘ Podcast, Davis revealed the profound impact of two players in his life. The 45-year-old revealed the way Johnson had helped him gain a $60 million net worth. “Magic Johnson was the one I looked up to just cause you know, accessible, you know, approachable…Magic is a person, I always kind of idolize from a business perspective,” said Davis during the podcast. However, his biggest statement came when he brought up a player who has long been forgotten in the league.

“It’s like Magic and Nick Van Exel were my mug… Hey bro you gotta understand. I’m a kid grow up Magic championships. Right. You get a drought. They draft Nick Van Exel. We all young hoopers, he the point guard for the Lakers. That’s after Sedale Threatt. Right. Which I can’t shoot like that. I ain’t shooting no ball. I don’t play like that. Nick Van Exel came and turned it up,” added Davis during the podcast.

Davis’ praise of Van Exel isn’t without any merit. With fearless play and clutch performances for which he became known, the dynamic point guard penned a stellar 13-year NBA career. He averaged 14.9 points and 7.3 assists per game in his time with LA and was selected to only the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1994 and the NBA All-Star Team in 1998. The Lakers championship drought wasn’t fixed in the era of Van Exel, but he did aid the team with his average of 41% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.

Davis’ journey from NBA standout to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of mentorship and the enduring impact of role models. By crediting Johnson and Van Exel for their respective roles in shaping his path, Davis not only honors their legacies but also reminds us of the unsung heroes who often go unrecognized. However, following the legendary Laker, Davis has formed his own empire now.

Baron Davis’ business legacy

Baron Davis, which is a name synonymous with electrifying basketball performances, has seamlessly transitioned from the hardwood to the boardroom. His entrepreneurial journey is a testament to his business acumen and vision.

We all know how Magic Johnson made his $1.2 million empire from Magic Johnson Enterprises, Magic Johnson Foundation, and many of his investments which include the shares in great franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Commanders. As revealed earlier, it can be speculated that the former point guard had made his decision to excel in the business at a very early age when he initially started talking with Johnson. “From I was 15, I played at UCLA,” said Davis during the podcast revealing the age from when he knew Johnson.

Following the footsteps of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, the former All-Star founded several companies including Sports, Lifestyle in Culture (SLiC), Business Inside the Game (B.I.G.), UWish, and More Than Us. Besides this, he has also invested in companies like Hims, Triller, Sleeper, Thrive, H1, Cann Drinks, Tracklib, Quip (Blue Scorpion), Complex, Task Human, Toucan, and Vidy. The former Clippers player’s business legacy is still unfolding, and it can be speculated that he will eventually make more progress like Magic Johnson.