Brad Daugherty, known as “El Gato Grande” and “Big Train” is a former basketball player who made a name for himself on the court and later in the world of motorsports.
Daugherty first gained attention while playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels before moving on to a successful NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Today, he is a well-known NASCAR team co-owner and a popular TV analyst. His journey from basketball to motorsports shows how a person can achieve success in more than one field if he is hard-working and passionate about it.
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Early Life
Brad Daugherty was born on 19th October 1965, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He is currently 59 years old and a successful man in both NBA and NASCAR.
Growing up in a small town, Brad stood out because of his impressive height and incredible athletic skills. By the time he was in high school, he was already a skilled basketball player. He developed a love for sports at a young age and worked on his skills to become better.
Daugherty attended Charles D. Owen, where he played in the state finals in 1982. Later he received a scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina, where he trained under Dean Smith, a legendary basketball coach.
Beginning of Career
Daugherty’s basketball career began after he joined the University of North Carolina. Under Dean Smith, he became one of the top college players, showcasing his skills as a centre for the Tar Heels.
His time at UNC was filled with success and helped him hone his skills. He was so good in the sport that he earned All-American honours before getting drafted into the NBA. He was picked in the NBA Draft in 1986 by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Shot to Fame
After getting drafted, it didn’t take much time for Daugherty to conquer the NBA. Even as a rookie player, he scored impressive numbers and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Over the next few seasons, he became one of the league’s best centres. For the record, Daugherty was a five-time NBA All-Star and led the Cavaliers to multiple playoff appearances. Unfortunately, due to back injuries, he was forced to retire in 1996, ending his basketball career early.
After his retirement, he stepped into NASCAR and bought Liberty Racing, a team featuring drivers like Kevin Harvick and Kenny Irwin Jr.
Relationship
We don’t have much to share about Brad Daugherty’s personal life mainly because he likes to keep it private. Despite the fame and money, he is known to be a humble person. He married Heidi Rost, his long-time partner in 1990 and have been together since then. They share two beautiful children.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
Based on the latest reports, Brad Daugherty’s net worth in 2025 is approx. $20 million. A major chunk of his wealth came from his successful NBA career. After retiring from the NBA, he didn’t slow down but shifted to NASCAR and became a co-owner. His teams have seen major success, which brought him huge profits, adding to his wealth.
