Basketball icon Moses Malone amassed a net worth of $5 million during his illustrious career in the ABA and NBA, marked by MVP titles, rebounding dominance, and a championship win.
Moses Malone, a basketball legend, accumulated a net worth of $5 million by competing in both the ABA and NBA from 1974 to 1995. Widely celebrated as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Malone earned three MVP awards, led the league in rebounds six times, and captured the 1983 NBA title. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 during his first year of eligibility. Sadly, Malone passed away on September 13, 2015, at the age of 60 due to a suspected heart attack. Over his career, Malone earned $13.9 million in salary, with his peak annual earnings coming in the 1990 season while playing for the Atlanta Hawks. Born on March 23, 1955, in Petersburg, Virginia, Malone was primarily raised by his mother after his father was removed from the home for alcohol abuse when Malone was two years old. During his high school years at Petersburg High School, he starred on the Crimson Wave basketball team, leading the squad to back-to-back undefeated seasons and state championships in his final two years. He was also named National High School Player of the Year in 1974. Though he signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Maryland, Malone opted to turn professional instead. Selected by the Utah Stars in the third round of the 1974 ABA draft, Malone became the first modern basketball player drafted straight from high school. His rookie season was outstanding, earning ABA All-Star and All-Rookie honors. However, his second season was cut short by a leg injury, and he played only part of the year before the Stars folded. Malone then joined the Spirits of St. Louis, finishing the 1975-76 season with averages of 17.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. After the ABA merged with the NBA following the 1975-76 season, Malone was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers but was quickly traded to the Buffalo Braves before the 1976-77 season. He played just two games for the Braves before being traded again. Malone found his stride with the Houston Rockets. In his debut season, he set new NBA records with 437 regular-season rebounds and 15 playoff rebounds. Despite missing significant action in 1977-78, he led the league with 380 rebounds and earned his first NBA All-Star selection. The 1978-79 season saw him break another record with 587 rebounds and post a career-best .540 shooting percentage, earning him NBA MVP honors. Though his production dipped slightly in 1979-80, he guided the Rockets to the Conference Semifinals. In 1980-81, Malone again led the NBA in rebounds per game with 14.8 and steered the Rockets to the NBA Finals. Though he averaged 22.3 points and 15.7 rebounds over six games, the Rockets fell short against the Boston Celtics. Malone played one more season with Houston in 1981-82, finishing with a career-high 31.1 points per game and another league-leading rebounding title. He secured his second MVP award, but the Rockets were eliminated in the first round by the Seattle SuperSonics. The 1983-84 season saw Malone again lead the league in rebounds despite missing 15 games due to ankle injuries. He extended his rebounding dominance by capturing the title for a record fifth straight year in 1984-85, during which he also reached 15,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in his NBA career. The Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the Conference Finals but lost to the Celtics. In his final season with Philadelphia in 1985-86, Malone averaged 23.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in 74 games before a facial fracture ended his season prematurely. Traded to the Washington Bullets in 1986, Malone averaged 24.1 points and 11.3 rebounds in his first year and became the 20,000th point scorer in NBA history. The Bullets reached the playoffs in 1987 but were swept in the first round by the Detroit Pistons; they suffered the same fate in the opening round of the 1988 playoffs. Before the 1988-89 season, Malone agreed to a three-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks. That year, he posted averages of 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds, earning his 12th and final NBA All-Star selection. The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks. The team struggled in 1989-90, finishing 41-41 and missing the postseason. In 1990-91, Malone became the NBA’s all-time leader in free throws made with 7,695, while also reaching 25,000 career points and 15,000 career rebounds. The Hawks made the playoffs but were ousted in the first round by Detroit, marking Malone’s final postseason appearance. In 1991, Malone signed a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent. Despite his efforts, the Bucks finished 31-51 in 1991-92, tied for last in the Central Division. He missed most of the 1992-93 season due to back surgery, and the Bucks again finished last in their division. Malone had two sons, Moses Jr. and Michael, with his wife Alfreda. The couple divorced in 1992 after Alfreda filed a lawsuit alleging cruelty and infidelity and obtained a restraining order. In early 1993, Malone was arrested in Galveston, Texas, on charges of stalking his ex-wife, trespassing, and making death threats. Later in life, he was in a relationship with Leah Nash, with whom he had a son named Micah. On September 13, 2015, Malone died from heart-related complications at a hotel in Norfolk, Virginia. He was scheduled to participate in a charity golf tournament that day but was found unresponsive in his room, reportedly wearing a heart monitor. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved