Former Mississippi State basketball star Tolu Smith returns to Bay St. Louis to speak with Bay-Waveland middle school basketball team
When the basketball team at Bay-Waveland middle school took the court on Thursday morning they thought that they were in for an average basketball practice. Little did they know that former Tiger, former Mississippi State Bulldog and current NBA player Tolu Smith would be making a surprise visit at his former middle school.
While most people in the Magnolia State know Tolu Smith as the Bulldogs big who dominated the paint during his time at Mississippi State, those around Bay high know him for his time growing up on basketball courts in Bay St. Louis. On Thursday he made his way back home and spoke to the basketball team at his former middle school, Bay-Waveland.
“It’s really surreal because it looks the same as when I was in here,” Smith said. “They have the same jerseys I had on so it is just a crazy feeling to see everyone in here. I am just happy to be here and talk to these guys.”
Middle school Tiger basketball players sat at centercourt and listened to Smith, who recently joined the Detroit Pistons as an undrafted free agent, as he spoke to them about his journey and what Bay St. Louis means to him.
“Being able to adapt through struggles, being able to overcome adversity, I think that is something that young kids don’t know about yet but will learn,” Smith said. “I just want to be the guy that tells them if you can overcome these types of adversities it’ll only be better for you.”
Smith began his college career at Western Kentucky before transferring to Mississippi State in 2020. Now with the Detroit Piston, basketball has taken Smith throughout the entire country. No matter where the game takes him, he says he will never forget where he came from.
“I try to represent Bay, Bay St. Louis, Bay high and Bay middle as much as possible,” Smith said. “I try to represent the community as much as possible. I know they are so proud of me and I am proud to be a part of this community.”
