First Known College Basketball Player with Autism Brings "Relentless Tour" to GBHS

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Anthony Ianni blasted home a message to a hand-selected group of GBHS students 5th hour on Friday in the auditorium. The former Spartan basketball player was the first known college player diagnosed with autism. His parents were told very early on that he would not graduate high school or play sports and that he would likely finish out his life in a group home setting. Ianni grew to 6' tall by the 6th grade (and soon reached 6' 9"), adding another reason for his peers to give him a hard time.

In spite of those obstacles, he not only played basketball as a Spartan at Michigan State but graduated with a Sociology degree. During his time on the team, MSU played in two Big Ten Championships and a Final Four. His message to the students at the schools he visits now across the country? Be kind to one another, show respect to everyone, and think about the legacy you want to leave behind in your school and community. He's reminding students they are all on the same "team". Ianni's "Relentless Tour" was something he chose to do over playing pro basketball overseas because his goal is to change the world.

   

Ianni listed off celebrities that were bullied in school, including Justin Timberlake for his high singing voice and for "talking to himself" at lunchtime when he was actually memorizing theater lines in the passionate pursuit of his dreams. He added that he had peers that were bullies that now have to work under the former classmates they mistreated, and one of his former bullies came to him after a game to have him sign a basketball. He stressed that you need to respect everyone because you just don't know how or when you'll cross paths with that person again in life.

He also wanted to remind students that they are the ones that have to make a change and that every single person can, in fact, change the culture at a school, in a community, and in society as a whole. One person can improve someone's day, even someone's life - even save a life - just by showing others respect.



Grand Blanc High School principal, Mr. Fray, introduced Ianni and following the event, happily took photos of students with the former basketball player. The LINKS members posed with Ianni for a group photo, as well. The Grand Blanc Educational Foundation helped bring Ianni's message to GBHS.

 

When school resumes on Tuesday, the students that were selected to attend the assembly on Friday will return to their 5th-hour classrooms to talk about Ianni's visit and lead a discussion on bullying with their peers.

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