Paul Pierce is an American professional basketball player who has played for 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a 10-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. During his time with the Celtics, he earned the nickname “The Truth” for his ability to hit clutch shots and be a reliable scorer.
After being drafted by the Celtics in 1998, Pierce spent 15 seasons with the team. He was a key member of the “Big Three,” including Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Together, they helped lead the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008. Pierce was named the Finals MVP after averaging 21.8 points per game in the series.
So, how much is Paul Pierce Worth? He is estimated to have a net worth of $70 million. This includes his earnings from his NBA salary, endorsement deals, and other business ventures.
Early Life and Career
Paul Pierce was born in Oakland, California, United States, on October 13, 1977. He was raised by his single mother, Lorraine Hosey. Growing up, he was a basketball and football star at Inglewood High School.
After high school, Pierce attended the University of Kansas. In his junior year, he played small forward for the Jayhawks and was named a First Team All-American. After considering entering the NBA Draft, Pierce decided to stay in school for his senior year.
Pierce averaged 22.0 points per game as a senior and was once again named a First Team All-American. He led the Jayhawks to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before the University of Kentucky defeated them.
Pierce decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft. He was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 1998.
Rookie Season and Early Career
Pierce had a successful rookie season, averaging 16.5 points per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished second in Rookie of the Year, voting behind Vince Carter.
Pierce improved in his second season, averaging 19.5 points per game. He helped lead the Celtics to the playoffs, where the Indiana Pacers defeated them in the first round.
Pierce averaged 20.4 points per game in his third season and was named to his first NBA All-Star team. He helped the Celtics reach the playoffs again, but they were once again defeated in the first round by the Pacers.
The following season, Pierce averaged a career-high 26.1 points per game. He led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers.
The “Big Three” Era
Pierce’s career took off when the Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007. The three players formed a “Big Three” that would go on to have great success together.
The Celtics finished with a 66-16 record in their first season together. They went on to win the NBA championship, defeating the Lakers in six games. Pierce was named the Finals MVP after averaging 21.8 points per game in the series.
The following season, the Celtics once again reached the NBA Finals. They faced the Lakers in a rematch and again came out victorious, winning the series in six games.
The Celtics failed to make it back to the Finals in 2009, losing to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They rebounded the following season, reaching the Finals for the third time in four years.
The Celtics were once again matched up against the Lakers in the Finals. This time, however, they could not win the series, losing in seven games.
The Big Three era ended in 2012 when Ray Allen left the Celtics to sign with the Miami Heat. The following year, Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
The remainder of Pierce’s career was spent with the Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He announced his retirement from the NBA in 2017.
Post-Playing Career
Pierce has remained in the public eye since retiring from the NBA. He is currently a studio analyst for ESPN’s NBA coverage. He has also done work as an actor, appearing in the films “Uncle Drew” and “The Last Dance.”
Pierce has also been involved in several business ventures. He is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox and a partner in a wine company.
Personal Life
Paul Pierce was formerly married to Julie Landrum Pierce. Julie is an American interior designer who hails from St. Louis. The 39-year-old has a degree in merchandising from New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology.
The pair have three children: Prianna Lee, Adrian Michael, and Prince Paul Pierce. They currently reside in Los Angeles, California.
Pierce has several tattoos on his arms, including the names of his children and late grandmother. He also has a tattoo of the Celtics’ logo on his right bicep.
After a brief conversation with two women on September 25, 2000, Pierce was approached by a group of men in a Boston nightclub. After hitting Pierce in the side of the head with a champagne bottle, the men proceeded to kick, punch, and stab him.
Tony Battie, a teammate of Pierce’s, and his brother rushed him to Tufts-New England Medical Center. Pierce recalls the incident as a time of great pain, sleeplessness, and anger. Aside from his mother, he only had one other person he talked to besides basketball players. His father had stopped communicating with him long ago. Many people reached out to Pierce with well-wishes by phone and card.
🏀Philanthropy
In 2002, Pierce established The Truth Fund to give disadvantaged youth access to programs that would improve their lives academically and personally. Later that year, the NBA recognized Pierce’s dedication to the Boston community and his work as a spokesperson for the NBA’s Read to Achieve program by awarding him the NBA Home Team Community Service Award. Pierce has hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for hundreds of single families, as well as celebrity softball games and other events, to raise money and awareness for causes that are important to him. Pierce serves on the Board of Governors at Tufts Medical Center, and Floating Hospital for Children, where he helped found the Paul Pierce Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2007. Thanks to his foundation’s efforts, the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club’s basketball court was renovated. Richardson Park in the heart of Los Angeles also underwent a full restoration project.
🏀Business Ventures
After escaping a vicious stabbing in a Boston nightclub in September 2000, Pierce became an outspoken supporter of cannabis. He was physically and emotionally broken after the incident, but he insisted that cannabis had helped him recover. Physically, Pierce made a remarkable recovery, but he suffered from paranoia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia in the aftermath of the attack. He found that cannabis helped him to cope with the symptoms and eventually became an investor in the industry.
In 2021, Pierce announced that he was launching a cannabis company called The Truth Cannabis Company. The company will produce a line of CBD products that Pierce says will help people to live healthier and happier lives.
Achievements
Throughout his illustrious career, Pierce has received many awards and honors. Some of the most notable include:
🏆1969-70 Rookie of the Year
🏆six-time NBA champion
🏆two-time scoring champ
🏆15-time All-NBA
🏆11-time All-Defensive Team
🏆two-time Finals MVP
🏆19-time All-Star
🏆1975-76 rebounding champ
🏆four-time blocks champ
🏆six-time MVP
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does Paul Pierce make?
A: It is unclear how much Paul Pierce earned in 2016, but between his salary and endorsement deals, he likely made more than $3 million.
Q: How tall is Paul Pierce?
A: Paul Pierce is 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m)
Q: What teams have Paul Pierce played for?
A: Paul Pierce has played for the Boston Celtic, Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers, and Washington Wizards.
Q: How many championships has Paul Pierce won?
A: Paul Pierce won one NBA championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.
Q: What is Paul Pierce’s jersey number?
A: Paul Pierce’s jersey number is 34.
Q: What position does Paul Pierce play?
A: Paul Pierce is a small forward, forward, and shooting guard.
Q: Does Paul Pierce have any kids?
A: Yes, Paul Pierce has three children with his wife Julie Landrum: Prianna Lee Pierce, Adrian Michael, and Prince Paul Pierce.
Q: What is Paul Pierce’s ethnicity?
A: Paul Anthony Pierce is African-American. His parents are George Pierce and Lorraine Hosey. He has two half brothers, Jamal and Steve Hosey.
Final Words
No wonder Paul Pierce is nicknamed “The Truth.” He’s one of the most successful basketball players, with an impressive list of accomplishments and awards. Moreover, he’s also a kind and generous man, using his platform to give back to his community in many ways. Therefore, Paul Pierce is truly an inspiration, both on and off the court.