Who is Dennis Rodman? 

Dennis Rodman is a former NBA player, known as one of the greatest rebounders ever. He was the 27th pick in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft. Rodman played with tenacity and aggression which became a staple of his personality. He is a 5x NBA Champion to go along with various individual accolades.

Dennis Rodman’s Early Life

Born on May 13, 1961, in Trenton, New Jersey, Dennis Keith Rodman is the son of Philander and Shirley Rodman. When he was just 3, Dennis' father deserted the family, leaving Shirley Rodman with the responsibility of raising her son and two daughters by herself. They later moved to Oak Cliff, Dallas, an impoverished community where Dennis and his sisters attended South Oak Cliff High School. Debra and Kim Rodman were athletic standouts in high school, winning 3 state championships. As he was just 5'6'' at the time, Dennis Rodman could not start on the basketball team as a freshman.

Rodman was 5'11'' by the time he graduated but his path to basketball would take longer. After a series of odd jobs and misdemeanors, Dennis Rodman experienced a sudden growth spurt. A short stint at Cooke County Junior College was enough for the 6'8'' Rodman to receive a basketball scholarship from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. However, he was already 22 at the time. He averaged 25.7 points and 15.7 rebounds there through 3 seasons before declaring for the 1986 NBA Draft at the age of 25.

Dennis Rodman’s Wife and Children

Dennis Rodman has five children from different relationships. Rodman and his then-girlfriend Annie Bakes welcomed Alexis Rodman in 1988. They would tie the knot in 1992 before dissolving the union 82 days later. Rodman was married three times with his longest marriage, with Michelle Moyer, lasting 9 years. Dennis and Michelle welcomed Dennis Jr. in 2001 and Trinity Rodman in 2002 before tying the knot in 2003. Moyer reportedly attempted to divorce Rodman in 2004 but the couple tried to reconcile until 2012, when the marriage was officially dissolved.

Dennis Rodman also briefly dated pop icon Madonna during his playing days. and was married to supermodel Carmen Electra. In 1998, Dennis Rodman and model/actress Carmen Electra tied the knot in Las Vegas. Notably, Rodman would abscond from the Chicago Bulls during the 1998 NBA Finals to spend 48 hours with Electra. Bulls front man Michael Jordan would have to personally go retrieve Rodman. They would later divorce in 1999. Dennis Rodman also attracted international attention for his visits to North Korea and his subsequent befriending of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2013.

Two of Dennis Rodman's kids though, are thriving sports stars in their own right. DJ Rodman plays college basketball for the USC Trojans while Trinity Rodman is the highest paid player in the National Women's Soccer League. She was recently named to the US Squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Since 2022, Dennis Rodman has been dating 32-year-old rapper Yella Yella. The two frequently share content together and have even started a joint YouTube channel. Last year, the 5x NBA champion inked 2 tattoos of Yella's face on his body, including one of his face.

Dennis Rodman’s Net Worth 2024

Despite making millions while playing in the NBA, Rodman lost most of his money. His erratic lifestyle also made shoe brands like Converse rethink their partnerships with 'The Worm'. Rodman lived a lavish lifestyle during his playing days and experienced a number of financial troubles later in life. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rodman's net worth currently is $500K.

Dennis Rodman NBA Career

After being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1986, Rodman took some time to come into his own. He spent seven seasons in Motor City and won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. However, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 1993 due to various factors. Rodman's time in San Antonio didn't produce anything good for either the franchise or himself. His stint with the Spurs was marred by multiple disputes with management and he was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1995. That's where Rodman's star shone the brightest.

via Getty

Playing alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen elevated his status and he played a vital role in the Bulls winning three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998. Dennis Rodman was released by the Bulls on January 21, 1999, before the start of the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season. He signed for the Los Angeles Lakers that season. However, he only played 23 games for them before being released in the 1999 offseason.

'The Worm' was signed by the Dallas Mavericks for the 1999-00 season. However, his erratic behavior proved to be detrimental to the franchise and he managed to play only 12 games. During his 14-season NBA career, Dennis Rodman played in 911 regular season games. His best personal season came in 1991-92 when he averaged 9.8 PPG along with a career-high 18.7 RPG. He also made the All-Star team that year.

After playing for various teams outside the NBA, Rodman retired in 2006. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Dennis Rodman played in 169 playoff games on his way to 5 NBA championships.

Dennis Rodman’s NBA Contracts

After going 27th in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft, Dennis Rodman earned only $75,000 during his first NBA season. After proving his fit alongside the 'Bad Boy Pistons', Rodman signed a 2-year extension in Detroit that saw him earn $160,000 in year 2. In year 3, his annual salary jumped to $550,000. From 1990-1992, 'The Worm' saw his value rise as he signed extensions worth $880,000 and $1,075,000 in 1990 and 1991 respectively.

Dennis Rodman's last year with the Detroit Pistons saw him earn $2.3 million. After being traded to the Spurs, he was paid $2.45 million in 1993 and $2.5 million in 1995. After being acquired by the Chicago Bulls, Rodman remained on a $2.5 million deal during his first season there before entering into some heated negotiations with the franchise. Ultimately, the 6'8'' forward would resign for $9 million in 1996, securing his highest payday in the NBA.

However, it wouldn't last long. Rodman's contract the following season would fall 50% in value, seeing him earn $4.6 million during the Bulls' last ring. Following the departure of Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan from the team, the Bulls embraced a rebuild and released 'The Worm' from his contract. He would sign with the Lakers for $1 million before being released again. His last season with the Mavericks saw him earn $441,000. In total, Dennis Rodman earned $27,031,176 during his 14-season NBA career.

Dennis Rodman’s Investments

Dennis Rodman was among the sports stars that were scammed by Peggy Ann Fulford between 2001 and 2014. Fulford called herself a Harvard-educated financial advisor but used 85 different accounts to launder her clients' money for her own personal gain. With power of attorney, Peggy Ann Fulford managed the wealth of retired sports stars, stealing over $5 million dollars in total. Dennis Rodman lost over $1.2 million due to Fulford's scams.

Dennis Rodman's Records

Oldest player to lead the league in rebounding

7 consecutive seasons leading the league in rebounding

8 consecutive seasons leading the league in rebound percentage

Second-highest career rebound percentage in NBA history

Tied with Elvin Hayes for most offensive rebounds (11) in an NBA Finals game

Only player in NBA history to record 20 or more rebounds in a game for 5 different teams

One of five players in NBA history to record 1,530 rebounds in a season

One of two players in NBA history to record 500 offensive rebounds in a season

Only player in NBA history to lead the league in offensive rebounding with three different teams

Dennis Rodman's Major Achievements

5x NBA champion (1989, 1990, 1996, 1998)

2x NBA All-Star (1990, 1992)

2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1991)

7x NBA All-Defensive First Team (1989, 1993, 1995, 1996)

NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1994)

2x All-NBA Third Team (1992, 1995)

7x NBA rebounding champion (1992 - 1998)

IBM Award (1992)

NBA 75th Anniversary Team

No. 10 retired by Detroit Pistons

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2017

Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee (2011)

Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor

Dennis Rodman's Charity and Foundation

In 1996, Dennis Rodman dyed his hair pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. At the same time, he made donations to Y-Me Breast Cancer Awareness. He has donated at least $576,892 to 11 different organizations during his NBA career. These included the Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation, the Rainbow Coalition and the Chicago Housing Authority Youth Programs. The 5x NBA champion has also worked closely with PETA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Dennis Rodman’s Shoe deal

At the start of his NBA career, Dennis Rodman played while wearing Reebok shoes. He briefly experimented with Nike before returning to Reebok by the time he was moved from Detroit to San Antonio. Then in 1993, as a member of the Spurs, Rodman signed with Nike to become the face of the Air Darwin series. He signed a 3-year deal that paid him $500,000 annually. The partnership continued until his first season with the Bulls. During the 1996 season, 'The Worm' even donned some of his unreleased sneakers like the Air Worm Ndestrukt and the Air Shake Ndestrukt. A retro version of the Worm Ndestrukt would be released in 2017 as well.

However, after Dennis Rodman exited his Nike contract, Converse swooped in to sign the 'Rebound King' with a $15 million deal. They even released signature lines like Converse All-Star Springfield for Rodman to wear in 1997. Converse would follow it up with the Converse AS Rodman, the All-Star D-Rod and All-Star 91. However, his off-court antics would eventually lead to Converse booting Dennis Rodman early. It reportedly cost Rodman $3 million. His early exit from Nike is also said to have cost the Hall of Famer $1 million.

Dennis Rodman owns and resides in a mansion in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He purchased the 6,681-square-foot mansion during the 90s from a renowned Michigan industrialist. It boasts 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, a sprawling 3-acre garden, an outdoor spa and pool. Rodman also reportedly refurbished one of the mansion's main halls into an indoor basketball court. Dennis Rodman also reportedly owned a mansion in Los Angeles but he sold it for $1.1 million after owning it for less than a year.

Dennis Rodman’s Rings

Dennis Rodman won his 1st ring during his 3rd season in the NBA. After falling short against the Lakers in the 98 NBA Finals, Rodman and the Detroit Pistons returned in full form to win the franchise and 'The Worm's first ring in 1989. They closed the series with a 4-0 sweep against the Lakers. Rodman and the Pistons went back-to-back, closing out the Trail Blazers in 5 games during the 1990 NBA Finals.

Dennis Rodman's third ring would be won during the 1996 NBA Finals. He averaged 14.7 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls beat the Seattle SuperSonics in six games. Over the next two seasons, Rodman would finish a three-peat with the Bulls, beating the Utah Jazz 4-2 in consecutive Finals series to win his 4th and 5th ring.

Dennis Rodman’s Car Collection

After winning his first ring with the Bulls, Dennis Rodman purchased a Hummer H1 and added a custom paintjob that included an artwork of him peeping out the back of the car. After he filed for bankruptcy in 2016, Rodman listed the car for sale at $55,000. In 1999, the founder of eyewear brand Oakley Inc. gifted Dennis Rodman a 1959 Cadillac Convertible for his continued support of the brand. The bright red convertible would later be listed for sale at $70,000. 'Dennis the Menace' also purchased a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo and customized it with a flaming image of the 5x NBA champion on the sides.

Dennis Rodman’s Bike Collection

Dennis Rodman was also an avid motorbike fan. He owned a 1960 FLH Harley Davidson that was auctioned off in 2012 for $10,367. In October 2003, Rodman would get into a bike accident while attempting a wheelie. The accident would lead to 20 stitches and derail his chances at an NBA comeback. Previously, in 1995, Rodman would miss one month of the NBA season after dislocating his shoulder due to a biking accident.

Dennis Rodman’s Social Media Accounts

Dennis Rodman is active on various social media accounts. Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , Website, YouTube