I’m an ex-NBA star who made $5m in career – I went on to make cupcakes for a living in post-retirement job

THE transition from professional sports to the real world can be tough, although, for one former NBA star, it has proved to be a piece of cake.

A journeyman during his NBA career, Maceo Baston turned out for teams in six countries before opening a cupcake store with his wife.

Maceo Baston (pictured) went on to open a cupcake store with his wife after retiringCredit: Getty

During his career, Baston made 105 appearances in the NBACredit: Getty
Originally from Texas, the 6-foot-9 forward made his way to Michigan in 1994 where he starred for the Wolverines for the next four years.

Baston wound up being picked 58th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Draft.

However, he wouldn’t go on to make his NBA debut until 2003 with the Toronto Raptors.

During the first five years of his professional career, Baston spent two seasons in the CBA with the Quad City Thunder before heading to Europe where he played for Italian team SC Montecatini and Spanish side Joventut Badalona.

Baston made 16 appearances for the Raptors towards the end of the 2002-2003 season, following which he spent three seasons in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

In 2006, he was handed another NBA lifeline, joining the Indiana Pacers where he’d record his first start in the league.

The next season saw Baston return to Toronto, before heading back to Indiana in 2008.

Baston once again moved to Europe in 2009, joining Ukrainian team Budivelnyk Kyiv, before moving to Obradoiro CAB in Spain.

Another year in Israel with Bnei HaSharon ultimately proved the final stop on his whirlwind career.

He finished his career having won the EuroLeague twice and the Israeli League three times.

In retirement, Baston headed back to Michigan with his wife, Yolanda, and their son, Maceo Jr.

In 2011, they opened Taste Love Cupcakes, where Maceo focused his attention on tasting the products.

“I’m not a baker,” he told NBA.com in 2012, adding that his contribution was more business-related, adding: “I do a lot of the tasting!”

Maceo explained that he isn’t “much of a cook or a baker but I enjoy it. It’s therapeutic. And it gives me a competitive edge.

“I want my cupcakes, my pancakes, or whatever I’m cooking to taste better than my wife’s or my son’s when we have a cook-off. I’m competitive in everything.”

Shortly after opening, Yolanda and co-owner Michelle won an episode of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, earning them $10,000.

Unfortunately, the store’s story was seemingly short but sweet, as they eventually closed their doors for good.