Tony Smith is a Marquette University Hall of Famer and former NBA player. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990, Tony had the privilege of playing alongside basketball legends like Magic Johnson and James Worthy, and even faced Michael Jordan in the finals during his rookie year. Beyond his basketball success, Tony has pursued a career in broadcasting and recently founded Beyond Birdies, an initiative aimed at increasing diversity in golf.

Tony shares his personal story—from growing up in Milwaukee, playing for the Lakers, and navigating life after basketball, to his passion for giving back through Beyond Birdies. Discover how his leadership on and off the court has shaped his mission to bridge the diversity gap in a sport he has grown to love.

Tune in as Tony discusses his career, the importance of mentorship, and how sports can serve as a powerful platform for positive change.

=================

Connect with Tony:

X / Twitter

Beyond Birdies

=================

Connect with Sarah:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahoberbrunnerrealtor/

Facebook

Website

=================

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

1:58 - Childhood in Milwaukee

4:46 - Basketball and Getting Drafted To The NBA

9:00 - Prioritizing Education (Mom’s Kick In The Butt)

11:09 - Experiences From the NBA

12:54 - Staying Grounded

15:06 - Broadcasting

17:08 - Golf

18:56 - Beyond Birdies

24:36 - What You Learn From Golf

25:35 - Goals for Beyond Birdies

28:22 - The Progress Our Culture Has Made

29:37 - Creative Ways To Support Beyond Birdies

30:55 - The R Factor Question

=================