Weekly episodes that engage in conversations with the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and professionals about everything off the court. Sean Birdsong and Sharon Letalon go in depth talking sports, business, education, and social issues.
American Ballers Beyond The Court
In this episode, North Carolina great and former NBA Rookie of The Year Phil Ford talks about his career. He talks about playing sports early in his life in North Carolina, and making the decision to play basketball for Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith. He talks about his legendary career at North Carolina, and also being apart of and winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympic games. He discusses his NBA career being selected 2nd overall in the 1978 NBA Draft, winning Rookie of The Year, and being a part of the great Kansas City Kings teams. He also discusses life after basketball, him going back to Carolina to coach under Dean Smith, and also getting the opportunity to coach in the NBA.
In this episode, former NBA and European basketball player, and President of Crowder Financial Group Corey Crowder talks about family, his career, business, and the importance of fathers being in their kids lives. Corey talks about growing up in Carrollton, Georgia playing football as a first love. He discusses what led him to choose basketball as a path instead of football and how that shaped his life. He talks about his family, and kids including his son NBA player Jae Crowder and the importance of not being a sports dad. Corey also discusses his business and the message that he shares with his clients and others about the importance of finances and doing the right things with your money.
In this episode, former processional basketball player and owner of Strength N Motion International George "Gee" Gervin Jr. talks about his life growing up, and about his business career. Gee talks about how it was growing up being the son of Hall of Fame Basketball player George Gervin, and the obstacles that he went through as a player. He talks about his time at the University of Houston playing for Hall of Fame player Clyde Drexler, and how he was received by the city of Houston during that time. He discusses his journey playing overseas, his post playing career as the owner of Strength N Motion developing players, and coaching in Ice Cubes Big 3 League.
In this episode, former NBA veteran, and the new Director of Player Development for the University of Houston Men's Basketball program Anthony Goldwire talks about his life and career. He talks about his upbringing in West Palm Beach, Florida and the hurdles that he had to go through as a young man. He talks about his success at Suncoast High school including going 36-0 and being a State champion. He would earn a scholarship to the University of Houston and lead the Cougars to the NIT tournament. He talks about being drafted by the Phoenix Suns but would start his professional career in the CBA. After a successful CBA career he would play in the NBA, and then became a coach in the NBA. He credits his success to his father and his family that kept him on the right path to make him the man he is today.
In this episode, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player, and NBA and ABA Legend Artis Gilmore talks about his upbringing in the south to becoming an ABA and NBA player. He talks about picking cotton at a young age, and that giving him motivation to be great later in life. He talks about his experience playing in the ABA and NBA, and having battles with the top big men in both leagues. He also discusses the importance of family, and how they played a role in his career and post career.
In this episode, Owner of Sutaria Training & Fitness, and trainer to NBA and NFL athletes Jay Sutaria talks about his upbringing, and why he became a trainer. He talks about his facility being a family atmosphere and making sure that he always stays humble during the process. He also talks about his relationship with NBA Champion and NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, how they met, as well as other relationships that he has with his clients.
In this episode, 10 year NBA veteran turned author C.J. Watson talks about growing up in Las Vegas, and playing college basketball at the University of Tennessee. He talks about after leaving Tennessee, going undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft, and having to play overseas and in the D-League. After paying his dues, and putting up tremendous numbers in the D-League, he would get a call from the Golden States Warriors, and would play 10 seasons in the NBA. He also discusses his life after basketball, and him becoming an author writing children's books which are based on his life.
In this episode, current professional basketball player and mental health advocate Trey Moses talks about his life, career, and challenges dealing with mental health. He discusses his upbringing playing sports, but also describes 7th grade being the start of him dealing with mental health. He talks about receiving a basketball scholarship to Ball State and dealing with tragedy while in college, but in the midst of tragedy, finding himself and looking to help others by starting his organization 24 Reasons.
In this episode, former collegiate athlete now NBA, FIBA, NCAA, and owner of Green Sports Management Daniel Green talks about his upbringing in basketball, and being a Division 1 player at Colgate University. He talks about the transition from being a basketball player to getting his start as an agent with CAA agency. He goes behind the scenes of being a professional agent and talks about starting his own company Green Sports Management. Daniel also describes his time in the front office with the Miami Heat winning championships, and also the transition to the Brooklyn Nets front office.
In this episode, FOX Sports analyst, host of The ODD Couple, and K.I.N.G. Movement Founder Chris Broussard talks about his upbringing, and his career in journalism. He talks about moving a lot as a youth due to his fathers job, playing football and basketball in high school, and ultimately receiving a basketball scholarship to Oberlin College in Ohio. He discusses his career covering high school sports, the NBA, and his time at ESPN. Chris also provides insight on his K.I.N.G. Movement, and why it is important for young black men to provide, protect, and know their history.
In this episode, 24 year NBA, European pro, and 4x NBA All-Star Micheal Ray Richardson talks with Beyond The Court about his career and life. During the episode, he talks about how he started playing basketball in Denver, Colorado. He talks about getting a scholarship to the University of Montana and having to adjust to a predominantly white university. He also discusses being an NBA All-Star, overcoming substance abuse, playing overseas, and winning championships as a professional coach.
In this episode, 12 Year NBA veteran, 4x NBA All-Star, and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame player Otis Birdsong talks with Beyond The Court about his life growing up in Florida, and his start in basketball. He discusses the obstacles that he went through in high school and college that motivated him to become the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft. He also talks about his NBA career and post playing career being a general manager of two professional basketball championship teams. He gives a message to the youth and also discusses his involvement giving back to the community.
In this episode, Naismith Hall of Fame, sports columnist and analyst Peter Vecsey talks about his career and him growing up in New York, City. He discusses being a reporter in the ABA and NBA, and covering athletes and their stories during that time.
In this episode, we speak with former collegiate athlete, NCAA Basketball Champion, and Director of Video Operations for the University of Kansas Men's Basketball team Jeremy Case. He discusses his playing career at Kansas including winning the 2008 NCAA Championship, his coaching career at Southeast Missouri State, and Houston Baptist. He talks about his return to the University of Kansas as Director of Video Operations, and mentoring the players their now.
In this episode, Director of Development for ESPN Adam Neuhaus discusses his career, upcoming ESPN projects, and gives a message to aspiring filmmakers.
In this episode, 11 year NBA veteran, 5x NBA All-Star, and current Milwaukee Bucks analyst Marques Johnson talks about growing up in Los Angeles, playing for Hall of Fame coach John R. Wooden at UCLA, the NBA, and the struggles that he overcame off the court.
In this episode, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame player Rick Barry discusses his life, career, and post playing career as a broadcaster. He talks about his journey playing college basketball at the University of Miami, to playing in the ABA, and NBA. He also discusses being a proud parent of five boys who all played professional basketball.
In this episode, award winning actor, director, and producer Cylk Cozart discusses his life from growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee to his film career. We talk about him overcoming racism, and struggles in school at an early age to finding a love for the game of basketball. He also talks about the NBA summer league as a Denver Nugget, playing ball with celebrities, and a friendship with Denzel Washington that would change his career.
In this episode, Head coach of the Montverde Academy Girls Program Special Jennings talks about her upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, family, and how she started playing basketball. She also talks about her journey from high school, college, and her experience as a pro player.
In this episode, Author, CEO of Beastdevelopmental, and father of NBA player Kelly Oubre Jr., Kelly Oubre Sr. discusses a variety of topics. He talks about his business Beastdevelopmental, his time growing up, him being a single father, and him raising a son to play in the NBA.
In this episode, educator Candace Birdsong talks about the affects of Covid-19 in the community. She discusses Martin Luther King Jr, and being apart of the civil rights movement. She also talks about her background in education, the youth, and her experience being an NBA wife.
In this episode, we talk with NBA All-Star, and 3x NBA Champion B.J. Armstrong. We talk about his journey from Detroit, Michigan to the NBA. He also discusses the education process which led him to the University of Iowa, his 11 year NBA career, and his post career as an executive and sports agent.
In this episode, we speak with former collegiate basketball player and Michael Jordan's oldest son Jeffrey Jordan. We discuss his life, career, and his business ventures after basketball. He also gives insight on the early lessons that he learned from his family, and how that helped him in his life.
American Ballers Beyond The Court host Sean Birdsong gives insight on the upcoming podcast.