NBA Star Cashes in Millionaire Maker

NBA Star Cashes in Millionaire Maker

Monday, 8 June 2015

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) always attracts the great and the good from the poker community, but helping boost the numbers each year is a collection of famous faces. From actors and actresses to famous sporting figures from the US and beyond, the WSOP is awash with talent in all forms and the last few days has seen one non-poker pro notch up his third cash at the Series.

NBA Championship winner, Earl Barron, managed to weave his way to a 613th place finish in the WSOP's Millionaire Maker good for $3,044.

Standing seven-foot tall, Barron is hardly conspicuous at the felt, but he managed to avoid the gazes of basketball fans and media members for much of Day 1 and only surfaced on Day 2 after he was eliminated with J-9 and took his imposing frame to the cashiers' desk to collect his winnings.

Talking to PokerNews after his latest cash, Barron explained that the WSOP is the only time of the year he gets to play poker. Keen to take full advantage, Barron has also been grinding low and mid-stakes tournaments around Las Vegas and his latest cash is a testament to his growing love for the game.

As well as his own exploits at the felt, Barron told PokerNews that poker is gaining popularity among NBA players. In a similar way to the game's proliferation through the football world, Barron said more and more players are now beginning to see how exciting the game is.

"Poker is slowly growing [in the NBA] just like everywhere else. The more guys pick it up, the more they see how fun and exciting it is," said Barron.

While Barron wasn't able to make it into the finale of the Millionaire Maker, a number of pros are still in contention heading into Day 3. Indeed, trailing the current chip leader, Justin Pechie, when the action resumes will be the likes of Blair Hinkle, Andrew Lichtenberger, Olivier Busquet and Shannon Shorr.

Image courtesy of NBA.com.



Tags: Earl Barron, WSOP 2015, Millionaire Maker