Over the course of 13 seasons in the NBA, basketball star Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics made a mind-numbing $110 million. Now Walker is practically broke. How did a renowned star blow through so much money in such a short time? ESPN’s interview with Walker provides the sad story.

Walker’s outsized spending was legendary in a league where high rollers are the norm. Think racks of custom-tailored suits, a driveway littered with Bentleys and Hummers, and mansions for himself and his family.

Add to that Walker’s entourage of 8 or 9 buddies who would travel the world with him in high style. Walker blew $2.5 million on a Chicago mansion for his mother with an indoor pool and – count ‘em – 10 bathrooms. Another $3.1 million went for a Miami home and yet another $4.1 million went for a downtown Chicago condo, both of which are now for sale.

And then there was the gambling. He would regulalry play blackjack for a couple of thousand dollars a hand. He finally surrendered to authorities in South Lake Tahoe for bouncing checks totaling $1 million at Harrah’s Casino.

With all that spending came numerous creditors including his former agent who won almost $600,000 from Walker for unpaid fees. To compound Walker’s woes, a $10 million real estate investmen in Chicago is in the process of going south.

If there is a moral to be had from the sad tale of Antoine Walker it is this: how you spend your money is just as important as how much money you make. Unfortunately for Antoine, he found out the hard way.

The Bottom Line: no matter how much money you make, always be careful with how you spend and invest it.

photo credit: Keith Allison