Derrick Coleman's net worth is estimated at around $1 million today, a small fraction of the roughly $87 million he earned in NBA salary during a 15-year career, after a 2010 Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing tied to failed Detroit real estate investments wiped out most of his fortune. His exact current assets and income are not public, so this figure should be read as a realistic estimate rather than a filing-based number.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Derrick Demetrius Coleman |
| Born | June 21, 1967, Mobile, Alabama |
| College | Syracuse University |
| Known For | No. 1 overall pick, 1990 NBA Draft; 1991 NBA Rookie of the Year; New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons |
| Career NBA Earnings | Approximately $87 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $1 million |
Early Life and College Career
Coleman was born June 21, 1967, in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up in Detroit, Michigan, attending Northern High School. He played college basketball at Syracuse University from 1986 to 1990, where he was named Big East Player of the Year in 1990. Syracuse retired his No. 44 jersey in 2006.
NBA Career
The New Jersey Nets selected Coleman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. He won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1991 and made his only All-Star appearance in 1994, the same year he was part of the U.S. team that won gold at the FIBA World Championship. Over a 15-year career he averaged 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, playing for the Nets (1990-1995), Philadelphia 76ers (1995-1998, 2001-2004), Charlotte Hornets (1999-2001), and Detroit Pistons (2004-2005), where he retired in 2005.
Career Earnings and 2010 Bankruptcy
Coleman earned roughly $87 million in NBA salary over his career, among the highest-paid players of his era. In March 2010, he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing about $4.7 million in debts against roughly $1 million in assets. His attorney, Mark B. Berke, said Coleman had invested in real estate, jobs, and business revitalization projects around Detroit, but "due to the state of the economy, including the decline in the real estate market, Mr. Coleman's investments could not be sustained." The largest failed venture was Coleman's Corner, a Detroit mall development, along with stakes in a hotel, a doughnut shop, and a pizza franchise. He retained his NBA pension through the filing.
Life After Basketball
Coleman has continued to live in the Detroit area since retiring. He became known for humanitarian work during the Flint water crisis, personally driving roughly 65 miles each way to deliver bottled water to Flint residents affected by the city's contaminated water supply.
Not the Same Derrick Coleman
This page is about the retired NBA power forward. It is not about Derrick Coleman, the former Seattle Seahawks fullback and the first legally deaf offensive player in modern NFL history, known for a widely aired 2014 Duracell Super Bowl commercial and for winning Super Bowl XLVIII with Seattle. The two are unrelated men who share only a name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Derrick Coleman's net worth?
Estimated at around $1 million today, well below the roughly $87 million he earned in NBA salary, following a 2010 bankruptcy filing.
Why did Derrick Coleman file for bankruptcy?
He filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in March 2010 after real estate and business investments in Detroit, including the Coleman's Corner mall project, could not be sustained through the economic downturn.
What is Derrick Coleman best known for?
Being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, winning Rookie of the Year in 1991, and playing 15 seasons for the Nets, 76ers, Hornets, and Pistons.
Is this the same Derrick Coleman who played for the Seattle Seahawks?
No. That is a different person, a former NFL fullback known for overcoming deafness and a 2014 Duracell commercial. This page covers the retired NBA player.