NBA rumors are typically about free agent signings or trades. This one, however, is different. When an NBA basketball player becomes an All-Star, there are many rewards that go along with it. Lavish homes, expensive cars, a “rock star” lifestyle — and living in your parents’ basement? The latter happens to be the case for one current NBA star.
According to the Washington Post , star point guard Jeff Teague has moved into his parents’ basement , and he plans to stay there for at least the remainder of the year. One might think that Teague’s career is circling the drain, or that he has partied away all his millions. Neither of those is the case; in fact, one could argue that things have never been better for the 28-year-old NBA veteran.
Teague has been with the Atlanta Hawks for the last seven years, but was recently traded to the Indiana Pacers , per the Inquisitr . This move has provided a homecoming for the six-foot-two guard, who was born and raised in Indianapolis. A few years back, Teague purchased a house in his hometown, and his parents have been living there ever since. Now that Teague has returned home to play for the Pacers, he’s just going to live at home with his parents.
Indy native Jeff Teague is living in his parents’ basement for the duration of next season https://t.co/NRQsRYFqYh pic.twitter.com/ppa2G9XLWd
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) July 13, 2016
Jeff Teague made his unusual living arrangement public during a radio interview on Fox Sports 97.5 FM in Indianapolis. According to Teague, his mother and father get to keep the main part of the home for themselves, and he will move into the basement. Teague may be expected to be a leader for the Pacers on the basketball court, but it looks like his mom and dad will be calling the shots at home.
For those who know Jeff Teague well, however, this unconventional decision is not all that surprising. The Indy Star reports that Teague is quiet and unassuming off the court, and he and his family are very close . Jeff Teague is thrilled to be playing in Indianapolis, and for the Indiana Pacers organization.
“I always wanted to play for the Pacers,” he said during his introductory press conference. “To have an opportunity like this is big for me. I’m trying to make the most of this year and, hopefully, be here a long time.”
“I would love to spend the rest of my career here,” Teague added. “This is the best basketball city. I just love this city. I’ve been a Pacers fan for years and now my dream has come true.”
The Pacers’ president of basketball operations, Larry Bird, is equally happy to have Teague in the fold.
“He’s a true point guard that can play out on the floor and make plays for other guys and score on the ball,” said Bird. “He gives us a lot speed of getting into the paint and making things happen.”
After Jeff Teague’s tremendous high school basketball career in Indianapolis, he accepted a scholarship offer to play for Wake Forest University. After an outstanding sophomore campaign for the Demon Deacons, Teague decided to declare for the NBA Draft, where he was taken 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks.
Teague became a starter for Atlanta after his second season, and he’s gotten progressively better each year. He earned NBA All-Star honors in 2014-15, averaging 15.9 points and seven assists for the Hawks that season. Teague played through injury this past year, but despite that, had a productive campaign — he even shot a career-high 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc in 2015-16.
NBA rumors about a player moving into his parents’ house would usually indicate that the player was in the middle of some sort of crisis. In the case of Jeff Teague, it simply means he’s happy to be home.
[Photo by Elise Amendola/AP Images]