As fans examine the career of a former basketball star, questions regarding Fennis Dembo’s net worth and earnings inevitably surface. Dembo’s net worth is believed to be under $50,000, which is surprisingly low for someone who has played in the NBA and for certain European clubs. He made some money during his short professional basketball career and afterward worked a variety of jobs to make ends meet.
Fennis Dembo, a former NBA player, is most known for his tenure in the league. Dembo was born on January 24, 1966, in Mobile, Alabama, and attended the University of Wyoming, where he led the team to the NCAA Tournament’s last 16 in 1987. Later that year, Wyoming retired Dembo’s No. 34 jersey in recognition of the program’s all-time leader and rebounder.
Dembo was picked in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and won the title in 1989. He did, however, only play in the NBA for one season, averaging 1.2 points and 0.7 rebounds in 31 games.
After leaving the Pistons, Dembo played in Europe and the CBA until retiring in 1998.
He also competed for the United States national team, winning silver in the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.
Fennis Dembo’s Net Worth & Earnings
Specific information on Fennis Dembo’s current earnings is not easily accessible as of December 2023. Regardless, the Wyoming Athletics Hall of Famer’s net worth is believed to be approximately $50,000. The bulk of his earnings came from his career as a professional basketball player, which lasted from 1988 until 1998.
NBA Earnings & Contract
The Detroit Pistons selected Fennis Dembo in the second round, 30th overall, in the 1988 NBA Draft. The former Wyoming standout signed a multi-year deal with the Detroit Pistons on September 1, 1988. According to Eskimo.com’s 1988-89 NBA Salary Sheet, Dembo earned $100,000 while playing for the Pistons. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm of the game did not convert into NBA success after leaving Wyoming. Despite playing rarely and scoring just 36 points in his debut season, he got an NBA championship ring. Dembo was released by the Pistons on October 31, 1989, becoming a free agent.
Fennis Dembo’s Post-NBA Career
After his time with the Pistons, Dembo never played in the NBA again. He spent more time in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and European leagues. He was a member of the Rapid City Thrillers, Chorale Roanne, Shreveport Crawdads, and SLUC Nancy Basket, among others. Before retiring from professional basketball in 1998, he had a solid post-NBA career.
Fennis Dembo turned to numerous enterprises outside of basketball after retiring from professional basketball. The former footballer changed careers and allegedly worked as a jail guard in Alabama for a while. Following his divorce from his second marriage, he worked as a maintenance guy for the San Antonio Water System. Dembo started working as a bus driver throughout San Antonio, Texas, in 2016. Spectrum Local News stated in 2021 that he had worked as a bus driver for San Antonio’s VIA Transit service for the previous five years. “The most important thing is getting to that destination and getting your people there,” Dembo said in an interview.
Furthermore, he admits to squandering his potential for a lengthy NBA career. “It was completely overwhelming for me.” “I didn’t take care of the things that needed to be taken care of,” Dembo said. While it’s usual for retired sportsmen to capitalize on their celebrity, Dembo’s post-basketball pursuits have been surprisingly quiet. This might explain why, like many retired sportsmen, Dembo found it difficult to increase his net worth tremendously.
