Basketball star says homeless man predicted his lucky win
By Kate Northrop
CALABASAS, Calif. — On May 12, Gilbert Arenas rushed out of the house to play his lucky numbers at his favorite gas station before it closed for the day. Along the way, a mix of good will, misfortune and luck brought him a Mega Millions 2nd prize of $309,694.
Arenas recounted his good fortune in an Instagram post.
Soon after leaving his home, Arenas realized his car did not have enough gas to get him to the station. He also forgot his wallet at home and had $10 on-hand. Stopping at the nearest gas station, he figured that $10 worth of gas would be enough to get him to his usual lottery spot just in time.
Just then, a homeless man walked up to Arenas and asked if he had any spare change.
Arena's first thought to himself was "I don't have time for this." He explained to the man that he had eight minutes to get to the other gas station to play his numbers before they closed.
The man asked him why he couldn't just play his numbers at the gas station he was currently at. "The other gas station lets me push the buttons myself," Arenas replied. He admitted he lied about which gas station he was headed off to so as to add to his urgency and not waste anymore time.
The basketball star then offered to give the man $5 and use his other $5 to get him across town.
"You won't make it on $5," the man told Arenas. "Keep the $10, and after you win, hook me up with $20!"
"Are you sure?" Arenas asked.
"Yes," the man replied. "I know you're gonna win."
After the exchange, Arenas did not actually make it to his favorite gas station in time.
The former NBA player woke up the next day and checked his text messages. "Congratulations," a message read. "U won 300k." It sounded like a scam, plus he never actually got to play his lucky numbers in time for the draw. He ignored it.
Later, Arenas made his regular trip to his lucky gas station to play the Powerball game for that night's draw. The owner of the station approached him and revealed that he played Arenas' usual numbers on his behalf because he closed early that day. As it turns out, the text message he received earlier was not a scam, but a very honest act.
Arenas hit five numbers on the May 12 Mega Millions draw: 7,16, 27, 44, and 52. Had he picked 5 as the Mega Number, he would have been the lucky winner of the $248 million jackpot.
On Saturday, Arenas returned to the other gas station to find the homeless man and gave him a share of the winnings. He did not disclose the amount, citing the man's safety.
"He jumped up and hugged me for five minutes crying and then started to pray," Arenas recalled. "I've given back to the homeless but never was blessed by one. His good-hearted gesture of me making it back home blessed that ticket."
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Note: The quotations in this story have been changed to remove profanity, but the meanings are the same as what appeared on Instagram.
Might not come when you want it to....But its always on time when a win happens. Congratulations!
Out of all the characters in this story, my praise goes to the store employee that not only bought the ticket, but was honest enough to say, I bought in for him, and not me. Could have been a big temptation.
I agree the store owner deserves a special award for honesty and the homeless man could
have been sent to see how humble Arenas was good spending
Great Great story
The homeless man had confidence that he was a winner. I'm happy that he remembered the homeless man.
"it says Gil rushed out of the house to play he's lucky numbers." According to celebrity net worth, Gil is worth $40Mil, but during his professional career, he made $160 mil plus 10's of millions in endorsements. Glad to see the guy putting money toward education. If Gil can do it, l can certainly see Bill Gates rushing out of the house to play he's lucky numbers as well.
I agree, and after all the stories we hear about dishonest clerks trying to rip off hapless players, it's nice to hear about an honest one who goes the extra mile for a loyal customer.
Great story. He has a relationship with that clerk, and it paid off. That's why I like to buy my tix at the little c-store that I go to. I know they won't cheat me.
So what did the homeless person do to help him win? The clerk played his normal numbers right? I'm confused
Told him that he was going to win, and the thought of not pushing for money.
People never get it. Call it karma if you want. Old saying, give away every day it come back to you tenfold, maybe even twenty fold. Call it karma. Most don't get that. They may have to remember waking up to see the milk outside the door, or waking up to put it outside the door. Better days for all.
Shout out to Gilbert Arenas. That's his court.
I'd like to hear more about that store owner/manager. I like this story if the store owner played those numbers also himself and got a part of the winning. I'd like to believe that it all turned out supernatural as the universe would have it.
The text message from the store owner/manager? He actually had his phone number?
I think you might be missing one thing in the story. He is an ex-NBA player and folks are naturally drawn to well known athletes/actors and sometimes politicians (LOL). They could be on good terms, who knows? Obviously they have a great relationship and perhaps have been over to each others homes.
l couldn't disagree with you more SD.
" Give away everyday and it will come back to you tenfold" I was told that some followed that advice from their religious leaders: giving up their homes, wages for the church and were left destitute before long. These persons in positions of authority were flying around in jets, wearing $1,000 suits etc etc. My advice, call it Karna if you will is: You need to approach life with your eyes wide open & not get sucked into that mungo jumbo vortex of nonsense. Giving is admirable, but stupidity is not.
* If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.