Rudy Gay has earned a huge name in NBA with his excellent defense and securing a career-high within a few years after his first NBA draft. However, the NBA player hit the limelight after Rudy Gay trade surfaced on the internet. In a deal that focuses on the franchise’s historical financial flexibility, Gay has become the top choice of the Atlanta Hawks. Now it will not only give a hike to Rudy Gay net worth but also focus on some changes in the rookie’s catalog. Well, Utah Jazz has traded Gay to acquire another brilliant forward player. That may bring plenty of new changes to this season’s roster. So let’s head straight to learn more about this trade and how it will affect Rudy Gay net worth.
Career
Born in Brooklyn to Rudy Gay Sr. and Rae Gay, the 36-year-old professional basketball player began competing in recreational basketball at 12. A couple of years later, Gay joined the Cecil-Kirk AAU program under coach Anthony Lewis. He then played for Eastern Technical High School during his first two high school years before transferring to Archbishop Spalding. However, during the sophomore season, he was honored as the Baltimore Sun’s co-player of the year. During his senior year, Gay averaged 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game.
However, his college recruitment was controversial as he desired to attend the University of Maryland but chose the University of Connecticut. But things turned more drastic when he played the game against his former teammates. It drew the media’s attention. But helped Gay pave his way to his first NBA draft. In 2006, Rudy Gay signed his rookie scale contract with Memphis Grizzlies. The year he finished third in the balloting of the Rookie of the Year Award. While it was just the beginning, Rudy proved his worth in 2009 when he scored a career-high 41 points. That helped boost Rudy Gay net worth a bit.
Rudy Gay Trade
Although Rudy was one of the league’s premier small forwards in 2010-11, he re-signed a five-year contract worth $82 million with the Grizzlies. It ultimately gave a boost to Rudy Gay net worth. But sadly, he missed the final 23 regular-season games because of a left shoulder injury. However, after returning to the court, his postseason scored a team-high 19 points and 6.6 rebounds. While at the beginning of 2013, the Grizzlies traded Rudy to the Toronto Raptors, he ended the year joining Sacramento Kings. After the conclusion of the contract, Rudy signed the deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
He played for the team from 2017 to 2021, where he scored 15 points and recorded six steals. Later in 2021, Rudy signed a three-year contract worth $182.5 million with Utah Jazz, which gave a hike to Rudy Gay net worth. Currently, the NBA star is playing for Jazz. But the recent reports hint at Rudy Gay trade. As per ESPN, the Atlanta Hwaks are acquiring forward Rudy Gay. To acquire Gay, Hwaks are trading forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz. Collins has also signed a three-year contract and owns $78 million over the next three seasons. But currently, the Hawks haven’t officially announced Rudy Gay trade and are expected to stay in a deal-making position.
Fans Doubt: Is Rudy Gay Gay?
Although Rudy Gay is a well-known name in NBA, he has been surrounded by several homosexual rumors. Many doubt his sexuality, as he has been linked with fellow teammates. Rudy Gay gay rumors began in 2007, and soon, the NBA star stepped in to address the stories. He said he was sick of being called homosexual. He confirmed that he wasn’t gay, but fans still believed in rumors suggesting the NBA player was into men. Rudy also highlighted that people think he was a gay rights activist. Although nothing was wrong with that, it didn’t make Rudy Gay gay.
The forward player further revealed that he slept with over 100 women, and despite that, the audience doubted his sexuality. The former Grizzlies star also addressed that it became tiring as the media was filled with rumors suggesting him being gay. He couldn’t even watch a highlight of himself as everyone believed he was dunking over someone. Rudy firmly refused such gay rumors, and finally, Rudy Gay gay rumors were put on end in 2013 when he married his longtime girlfriend, Ecko Wray.
Rudy Gay Net Worth
Utah Jazz star has been a huge name since he joined Memphis Grizzlies. After his first NBA draft, Rudy Gay net worth took an upturn. He played for several renowned basketball teams. In fact, Rudy made his way to FIBA World Championship in 2010. He even helped the US to win its first gold medal averaging 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals since 1994. Also 2014, Rudy collected another gold medal and won another FIBA Basketball World Cup. While these are a few of his achievements, Rudy Gay net worth is estimated at around $40 million.
Most of his earnings are a part of his NBA salary, approximately $6,184,500. He will also have a cap hit of the same amount, boosting his overall net worth. While Rudy hasn’t won any NBA championship yet, he’s still counted as a crucial team member for his scoring prowess, agility, and adaptability. Apart from his NBA earning, Rudy Gay net worth has increased due to several other sponsorships he landed. The companies with which Rudy has collaborated so far are Red Bull, Sony, and Nike.
Well, with his 6’8″ wingspan, he is beyond normal small forward. But he has contributed to his effectiveness as a defender. Thus it makes him a prominent team player. As of now, Rudy Gay trade is still in limbo as the Hawks have yet to officially announced it. But it will undoubtedly give a boost to Rudy Gay net worth as well as career. This is all for now. Stay tuned. TechRadar247 will keep you updated.