Daniel Ray Ainge was born on 17 March 1959, in Eugene, Oregon USA, and is a retired professional basketball player and basketball executive, best known from being the general manager of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Boston Celtics. During his professional playing career, he exhibited great skills, but all of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Danny Ainge? As of late-2016, sources estimate a net worth that is at $10 million, mostly earned through a successful career in basketball. He also played professional baseball, and tried his hand at a basketball coaching career. As he continues his executive role, it is likely that his wealth will continue to increase.
Danny Ainge Net Worth $10 million
Danny attended North Eugene High School, and during his time there starred on the school’s football team. He also helped the school’s basketball team win back-to-back state championships in 1976 and 1977. He was considered a top prospect in football, baseball, and basketball, becoming the only first team All-American in three sports. He then attended Brigham Young University, and would become very popular in the NCAA. He finished his senior year with the Eastman Award and the John R. Wooden Award, and would also finish college with a double-figure scoring record of 112 consecutive games.
In 1977, Danny was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, and would work his way to the major leagues in two years. He played mainly as a second baseman, and became the youngest player in Blue Jays history to hit a home run. After three years with the Jays, he decided to switch to a professional basketball career, and entered the 1981 NBA Draft, being selected by the Boston Celtics which would buy his contract from the Blue Jays.
Danny had difficulties adjusting to professional basketball, but eventually started to improve his game, and he was partly responsible for helping the Celtics win the NBA title in 1984 and 1986. He also became known for his brash personality, and often got into exchanges with other players. In 1989, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings, and the following year to the Portland Trailblazers. He was a favorite among Portland fans, and would help the team get to the 1992 NBA Finals, only to lose against the Chicago Bulls. After the season ended, he became a free agent and would then sign with the Phoenix Suns. He helped the team get a 62-20 record that year, and made it once again to the NBA finals, facing and losing once again to the Chicago Bulls. After the 1994 to 1995 season ended, he decided to retire.
In 1996, Ainge became the head coach of the Phoenix Suns but eventually decided to resign to spend more time with his family. In 2003, he was then hired as the Executive Director of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, and was responsible for helping the team restructure in 2008 by acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. They held the best record in the NBA during that season at 66-16, and it earned Danny the NBA Executive of the Year Award. In the same year, the Celtics would win the NBA Championships, which would lead to his promotion to President of Basketball Operations.
For his personal life, it is known that Danny has been married to Michelle since 1979, and they have six children; his son Austin is the director of player personnel for the Boston Celtics. Aside from that, he and his family are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
