Sports fans often assume that every player in the NBA is a millionaire who can afford whatever they want. And while that holds true for the league’s superstars and rotation players, it doesn’t for those at the end of the bench.

One such player was Lavoy Allen, a 6’9″ big man who the Philadelphia 76ers selected 20th in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft. And while many didn’t expect him to make the final roster as most second-round picks do, he defied the odds and made the team, eventually suiting up in 41 games during the 2011-12 season.

His salary, though, was paltry compared to what others on his team made. In fact, his contract paid him $473,000 for that one season, which was the second-lowest on the team. It was one thing to be smart with his salary, it was entirely another to navigate NBA life as a rookie.

Fortunately, Lavoy revealed how one teammate took it upon himself to lend a hand. This player was Andre Iguodala.

An unexpected birthday present

At that time, Iguodala was playing in his eighth season in the NBA and had already established himself as an All-Star and one of the league’s most athletic and stellar defensive players. Because of his unique skill set, he was making over $13 million during that season.

All that said, he didn’t have to help the 22-year-old Lavoy, who was fully capable of managing his own finances. But as a mentor and leader on the team, Iguodala saw an opportunity to be a beacon of generosity.

“Andre lent me his Chevy Tahoe for a while. He really took care of me,” Lavoy recalled.

Being an NBA player also means adhering to a strict set of rules, which includes gameday outfits. For someone like Allen, positioned on the lower rungs of the Sixers’ hierarchy, this meant shelling out for a few suits — an expense that further strained his already modest salary. Iguodala, however, intervened and purchased three suits for the big man instead, which Allen described as “pretty solid.”

The biggest surprise for Allen, though, came on his 23rd birthday. While some teammates may give a cake or perhaps a nice watch, Iguodala went above and beyond, handing the rookie ward a check that blew his mind away.

“I don’t want to say exactly how much,” Allen recalled, “but it was niiiice.”

Lavoy wasn’t the only one

Before anyone thinks Iguodala’s generosity was just for show, Jodie Meeks, another young player on the Sixers during that time, could attest to his kind nature. He was not only generous with his finances but more so with his time.

“He taught me a lot about being a professional,” Meeks relayed. “Showing up early, staying late. He taught me how to talk to the media and handle situations.”

Meeks, a 6’4″ shooting guard who played at Kentucky, said Iguodala laid down the blueprint for success in the NBA.

“He gave a metaphor of the grind itself. He said it’s never going to cheat you, and it’s never going to give you something you haven’t earned,” he added. “He said if you show up early and stay late, more than likely you’ll play better. If you don’t, you’ll play mediocre.”

Meeks was only a rookie when he joined the Sixers, but thanks to Iguodala’s help and his own diligence, he went on to carve out a 10-year career in the league as a reliable sharpshooter who could help space the floor.

Professional sports leagues, such as the NBA, are fiercely competitive arenas where athletes fight to secure their positions and maintain their lucrative careers. More often than not, players only care about themselves and their bottom lines. However, Iguodala was different and showed both Allen and Meeks what it means to be a true professional.