It takes guts for someone to pass on attending an Ivy League school to pursue their dream of playing the sport they love. That someone in question here is none other than Wendell Carter Jr. It seemed that Orlando’s big man, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, was crystal clear on what he wanted from an early age. Born to parents who played the game – Dad, Wendell Sr, played professionally in the Dominican Republic after a collegiate career at Delta State, and Mom, Kylia Carter, represented the University of Mississippi, it was easy for Carter Jr. to decide on what he wanted out of life. Make basketball his life’s mission.
His dedication to the game has brought him great financial wealth, something even he may not have imagined as a young boy wanting to make it big in the NBA. Carter’s stock has only been going upwards, and his net worth as of 2025 is testament to this. The former Lance and Shield Awardee, despite having the opportunity to go to Harvard, chose Duke instead to pursue his ambition of one day playing in the NBA. A decision that has paid rich dividends, taking into account the giant strides he has made financially from his humble beginnings in A-Town.
What is Wendell Carter Jr.’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, the Duke alum’s net worth stands at $71,686,380. His basic salary for the 2024/25 season is $13,050,000. To understand Carter’s career earnings better, we need to go back to the genesis – 2018. As a rookie, he signed a four-year, $22.01 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. In his time with Chicago, his cash cumulative stood at $12,788,349. He was making steady progress with them until he was sent to the Orlando Magic in 2021 for a deal involving Nikola Vučević. Subsequently, after becoming a Magic player, he would sign a four-year $50 million contract extension.
Oct 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) guards Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Carter’s cash cumulative at the moment is valued to be at $48,099,528 with the Magic. He is in the third of his 4-year existing contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Wendell Carter Jr.’s current NBA salary, contract breakdown
Just before the start of the 2024-25 season, Carter signed a three-year contract extension valued at nearly $59 million as per ESPN’s Shams Charania. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the latest deal also has a team option for the 2028-29 season.
This was made possible by the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. The latest trend among NBA players is to opt for bypassing their free agency to take care of of their financial future and Carter is no exception to this.
Previously, players could only get 120% of their prior salary or the average player salary, whichever was higher. The new CBA raises that to 140%, benefiting players like Carter.
As per Spotrac.com, Carter’s earnings over the years can be better understood by viewing the following table.
Year
Age
Status
Cash Total
Cash Cumulative
2018
19
2019
20
2020
21
2021
22
2022
23
2023
24
2024
25
Total
His exploits on the court has put him in a position to do something that is very close to his heart right from his childhood – Charity work.
Wendell Carter Jr.’s donations & endorsements
Though he has always been shrewd when it comes to the financial side of basketball, Carter has never been one to focus only on money. This is evident from the fact that he does not have any endorsement deals apart from his NBA contracts. He has never let success get to his head and is more about giving back to the community through his Platform Squared Foundation, co-founded with his parents, and the Flight 34 program, which aims to inspire the youth in and around the Orlando area to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. Carter has used his basketball platform for the greater good of his fellow human beings.
The Foundation focuses on the upliftment of the youth and families revolving around STEM Aviation programs, Basketball camps, Holiday, and Community Events. Carter has been working tirelessly over the years to bring about great societal change. His charity work has had a positive impact on the community, leading to several accolades being bestowed upon his Foundation. Some of these include:
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award
City of Orlando Proclamation
City of Atlanta Proclamation
Carter was also named as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of January. This is in recognition for conducting his annual basketball camp in his hometown of Atlanta and for hosting a Flight 34 Aviation Event to provide students of the Orange County Public Schools insights into aviation.
Wendell Carter Jr. is just not your average NBA player. He is more than that. A person who never forgot his roots continuously striving to achieve greatness not only on the floor but off it as well. Each one of us would do well to take a cue from his book on what it really means to give back to those in need. Carry on, big man, and continue to show us the way!
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