Anthony Ianni - Centered: Autism, Basketball, and One Athletes Dreams

Contents

Advance Praise for Centered

Centered is a captivating and uplifting story about pursuing dreams, pushing through difficult times, and reaching ones full potential. Anthony Iannis story shows what can happen when young people and their families hold themselves to the highest standard of accountability.

Nick Saban, Head Football Coach, University of Alabama

Anthony Ianni is such an inspirational success story, and his new book provides tremendous motivation and practical experience in how to adapt, overcome, and achieve, despite the obstacles. Anthonys story provides a thoughtful and influential guide to doing your best and being your best self, no matter what.

Jay Bilas, ESPN College Basketball Analyst

Anthony loved sports ever since he was a little kid and he did not let autism hold him back. He was bullied and classes were really difficult for him. He succeeded in earning his degree and playing college basketball. When he talks to students at schools, he tells them to chase every dream and to work hard.

Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

Everyone will benefit from reading Anthonys firsthand account of living life on the autism spectrum. They say you can never judge a book by its cover, and he is the perfect example of that. You look from the outside and he is a tall, athletic, accomplished athlete, husband and father. You assume his struggles have been minimal, which in fact could not be more inaccurate. He has, with the tireless efforts from his family and friends, overcome daily struggles to live a normal life, and he continues to do so with great resiliency. His willingness to be the face of autism is brave, and this book shows you what that really means.

Allie LaForce, sports reporter, TNT

Anthony Iannis story reminds me of my journey growing up. It was very inspirational and encouraging to know that I am not the only one. With all of the hard work and great support of family, kids like us can accomplish anything we want to do in life. Anthonys story is a great example of how to navigate difficult issues in life of being impacted by autism.

Armani Williams, first NASCAR driver with autism

This book is a publication of

Red Lightning Books

1320 East 10th Street

Bloomington, Indiana 47405 USA

redlightningbooks.com

2021 by Anthony James Ianni and Rob Keast

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Manufactured in Canada

Cataloging information is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-68435-154-1 (hardback)

ISBN 978-1-68435-153-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68435-152-7 (ebook)

First printing 2021

CONTENTS

THE FIRST TIME I MET Anthony Ianni, he was nine years old, and he told me he was going to play basketball at Michigan State for me.

Little did I know that bold statements like that from A.I. should not have surprised me.

For as long as Ive known him, Anthony has been defying the odds and doing things that people have said he wouldnt be able to do.

The fact that he is now a motivational speaker and someone who will stand in front of large crowds, both young and old, not only shows how much confidence he has but, to me, is just another demonstration of Anthony showing everyone that he can do anything he puts his mind to.

When I was approached by Anthony to write the foreword to his book, I readily accepted. I dont hesitate to speak about him and his family because I have great admiration and respect for his parents, Greg and Jamie, his sister, Allison, and, of course, for A.I., who confidently shook my hand that night more than twenty years ago and did in fact end up playing for me at Michigan State.

From the moment his father, Greg, returned to Michigan State in 1993, Anthony was always a part of the Michigan State basketball program. He attended games with his parents, worked as a ball boy for us at practice and games, and bled Green and White as much as any kid I had ever met. He even traveled with us a few times and once took my seat on the bus!

I knew he faced challenges growing up, challenges that other kids his age wouldnt have to face, because he was autistic.

He was bullied. Doctors told his parents that he probably wouldnt finish high school. And the chances of him going to college and getting a regular job and living on his own were marginal. Becoming a Division I athlete wouldnt even be in the realm of possibility.

But he found his passion in basketball, and that drove him to show anyone who doubted him that he would survive and succeed.

When Anthony was fifteen years old, Greg told me that he wanted to play for an AAU team to help him make that next step in his basketball career.

I suggested he try the Michigan Mustangs, a team based out of Kalamazoo, because I knew their coach and thought hed be a good mentor for Anthony. Not only did he make the team, but it was there that his nickname, A.I., first came about.

When it came time for him to go to college, I knew he wanted to come to Michigan State, and he wanted to try and play here. And I understood that. He grew up here and he loved it here.

But I also knew that he had to be realistic. He had a scholarship offer at Grand Valley State, and I knew their coach, their program, and their school. I didnt have a scholarship to give and couldnt promise him anything.

He ended up taking the opportunity to go to Grand Valley and stayed there for two years. After his second year, he was back in my office, asking me about walking on to our team again.

When we played Grand Valley in an exhibition gamea game they wonI told A.I. afterward that I would always be there for him.

I knew his heart was in East Lansing and that he wanted to be at Michigan State. But I also told himautism or notthat I was going to treat him like any other player on our roster. It was a pretty frank discussion, and not once did he back down.

I knew what autism was, but I had never dealt with anyone who had it. You have those preconceived notions of, He cant do this, or He cant do that, but what I learned was that he could do anything.

It took a little while for our coaches to learn what the best way was to communicate with him, but he worked harder and harder to show that he belonged and that he could handle playing with our team.

By the same token, he wanted to be treated like everyone else. During summer workouts, at practice, in the weight room, and in the locker room, he bonded with those guys, and that just made him part of the group.

Once we started workouts and practices, Draymond Green took him under his wing after learning about his background.

A.I. had a tremendous work ethic, and thats what made him stand out. He eventually became the captain of our scout team and made guys like Draymond and our starters better simply because of how hard he played.

A testament to that was A.I. winning the Tim Bograkos Walk-On award as a junior. It was not a fun job for him or anyone else in those roles, but to A.I., winning the award was like winning the Big Ten Player of the Year.