“I thought I understood investing, but the market had other ideas.”

From hardwood to high finance, the six-foot nine forward has gone from chasing rebounds to co-running Dimensional Fund Advisors, which has six ETF products and $65.5 billion under management in Australia.

- RYAN JOHNSON

Dave Butler

Known colloquially as 'the biggest fund you've never heard of', the firm's renowned approach to financial science is the stuff of economic legend. Drawing on research from five Nobel Prizewinning laureates, it has reshaped the way investors build wealth. Dave is in Australia to support client events.

Tell us about your early years

Money wasn't a big topic at home, but my dad, an accountant, was very organised and thrifty. I remember him laying out spreadsheets on the kitchen table, carefully managing our finances.

He focused heavily on education and encouraged us in sports. My brothers and I, all tall, were big on basketball. My brother, Greg, is seven-foot tall and ended up playing for the New York Knicks. Needless to say, the front yard one-on-ones were competitive.

What was your first job and how much did you earn?

In college, I worked at an oil refinery painting pipes for $9 an hour. I was so excited as it was double what my basketball team mates were earning. We'd drive to downtown LA, paint a bit, eat lunch, paint some more and head home. I learned it's much easier to stay busy than pretend to be.

How did you get picked up by the Boston Celtics? Where did basketball take you?

I played five years at Berkeley University, after getting an extra season because of an injury. While finishing my MBA, I was drafted by the Celtics in 1987. But that year, a player strike cancelled training camps. My agent didn't think there would be a season, so he found me overseas options. I nearly ended up in Australia, but I had $237 in my account and a Turkish team offered $5000 and a plane ticket, so I went.

What made you leave professional sport for finance?