Charlie Villanueva Net Worth: How Rich is the Retired NBA Player?

Charlie Villanueva is a retired Dominican-American professional basketball player. He is best known for playing in the NBA for professional basketball teams, the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks. Villanueva was selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 7th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. As of 2022, Charlie Villaneuva net worth is estimated to be roughly $30 million.

Early Life & Amateur Career

Charlie Villanueva was born on the 24th of August, 1984 in Queens, New York. His parents, Roberto Villanueva and Dora Mejia were Dominican immigrants. They were first-generation Hispanic Americans. He is fluent in Spanish as he speaks in Spanish with his family. Charlie grew up with his 3 brothers, Rob Antonio, Rob Elia, and Rob Carlos.

Villanueva studied at the Newtown High School. In his freshman year, he played along with future NBA player, Smush Parker. Then, he attended Blair Academy for 3 years, and there, he was a teammate of another future NBA player, Luo Deng. As a senior, he earned All-American.

Afterward, he entered the 2003 NBA draft, but, later h withdrew his eligibility. He withdrew his eligibility to play college basketball for the University of Connecticut. Charlie was considered a 5-star recruit by Rivals.com. At the earlier stage, he was verbally committed to playing for the University of Illinois. However, he withdrew his commitment after coach, Bill Self left for the University of Kansas.

Villanueva intended to follow Bill Self to the Jayhawk, but, later he chose to play for the University of Connecticut. He earned Big East ALl-Rookie Team honors in his freshman year at UConn. As a sophomore, he led his team receiving the team MVP with an average of 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds. He also received second-team All-Big East honors. After the sophomore season, he declared for the 2005 NBA draft forgoing his final 2 years of college eligibility.

Charlie Villanueva Net Worth & Professional Career

 

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Charlie began his professional career after being drafted in the 2005 NBA draft. He was picked by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft. Charlie responded with a solid rookie season with an average of 13 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games. Charlie finished second among rookies in rebounds and points. In June 2006, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for T. J. Ford.

Villaneuva was reprimanded by the Milwaukee Bucks for posting a message on his Twitter account in March 2009. He had the best season of his career in 2008-09 after scoring 16.2 points on average and 6.7 rebounds in each game. Then, he signed a 5-year contract with the Detroit Pistons in July 2009.

Charlie scored a career-high 16.7 points in each game with Milwaukee in the previous season. The Pistons President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars described him as a versatile big man who has the ability to play in the post and score from the perimeter. Likewise, Piston’s signee, Ben Gordin described him as a key piece to the roster next season. He was surrounded by controversy in November 2010 after he revealed that Kein Garnett called him a cancer patient.

Charlie was called a career patient by known trash-talker, Kevin Garnett during a Celtics blowout victory over Detroit. Later on, Garnett clarified that he meant that Villaneuva was cancerous to the team and league. Kevin also clarified that he doesn’t mean to insult those affected by cancer. Afterward, he delivered a flagrant foul to Isaiah Thomas, due to which, he was fined $25,000 in January 2013. He was also ejected from the game for elbowing.

Villanueva was then signed to the Dallas Mavericks on September 23, 2014. While playing for the Mavericks, he scored a season-high 26 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2015. Despite his best performance, his team lost to the Los Angeles Clippers. Then, he was re-signed to Mavericks for a one-year deal in August 2015. 

Personal Life

Charlie Villanueva is currently dating his girlfriend, Lala. His alleged girlfriend’s real name is Lisette Alvarez and she is working as a sports reporter at Time Warner Cable in Dallas. Previously, he was engaged to Michelle Game, with whom, he has a daughter. Charlie also has a son from his past relationship.

Charlie Villanueva Net Worth

Charlie Villanueva’s personal wealth is estimated to be around $30 million as of 2022. He has earned estimated total career earnings of $50,106,586 from his professional basketball career.