National Basketball Association

Wizards' Singleton drops $10K on lottery

Published Mar. 30, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Washington Wizards rookie Chris Singleton isn't strapped for cash, but that isn't deterring him from trying to earn a few more bucks.

Well, maybe more than just a few bucks.

How about over $500 million?

That's what Singleton has his eyes on after posting on Twitter Wednesday night that he spent $10,000 on Mega Millions tickets. The jackpot has reached a world record $640 million, and the figure could go even higher before the 11:00 p.m. ET drawing.

"You guys are already rich," one of his followers wrote.

"If I get richer, I will change the world for the better," Singleton replied.

Singleton’s 2012 salary currently stands at $1,485,000, and he's slated to make $1,596,360 in 2013.

One thing that's not clear is whether Singleton plans on spending the $10,000 in one place to buy the tickets or at several different locations in the Washington, DC, area.

"I hope your kidding.. Your odds from buying 1 to 10,000 is insignificant," someone else pointed out.

"Well if I get more than 10000 back then it was a smart investment," Singleton countered. "Whatever happens I'm dedicated to making more money."

"And to him, that’s probably like $100," a fan quipped.

"Its an investment guys," Singleton wrote in response.

If Singleton's substantial investment were to pay off, the amount in his bank account would be around the value of the team he plays for.

Forbes valued the Wizards at $328 million in late January, and the current lump-sum payout amount is more than the estimated worth of all but five NBA franchises.

After federal taxes are taken out of the winnings, the take-home amount drops to around $350 million.

Meantime, a quick scan of Twitter shows athletes across the sports world trying their luck.

"If I win some money like six figures from this lotto thing ... I'm blowing it haha I didn't expect to win so it's fun money," wrote Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith.

"This morning I got my coffee and contributed $20 to the lottery #YourWelcome," California jockey Joe Talamo wrote.

US softball Olympian Cat Osterman said,"#IfIWonTheLottoIWould buy my mom her Porsche, my dad his house on a golf course, pay my brothers loans ... Yes we bought 5 tickets!"

Other NFL players who tweeted their plans to buy tickets included Saints receiver Lance Moore, Falcons receiver Roddy White, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman.

The odds of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are one in 176 million. The lottery game, which is played in 42 states, has not had a winner since Jan. 24.

NewsCore contributed to this report.