Anthony Ianni - MSU Basketball Star + Anti-Bullying Advocate

Our President and Founder Fabianna Pergolizzi will be interviewing Anthony Ianni, a former MSU basketball star who is currently a national spokes person against bullying. Anthony was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old while living in Ohio. At that time his parents were told by medical specialists and professionals that he would never be successful academically, that he would likely not graduate from high school much less go to college, and most likely would live in a group home in the future and that being an athlete was out of the question. HE PROVED THEM WRONG! Anthonys family relocated to mid-Michigan when he was a young child where he graduated from Okemos High School. He went on to graduate from Michigan State University in 2012 with a bachelor of arts in sociology. He is a former MSU basketball player for MSU and Tom Izzo and receiving an athletic scholarship in 2011-2012. He was a member of the 2010 and 2012 Big Ten Champion and Tournament Championship teams in addition to being part of the 2010 Final Four Team. He is the 2011 MSU winner of the Tim Bograkos Walk-On Award Winner and 2012 MSU Unsung Player Award Winner. Anthony also played basketball at Grand Valley State University for 2 years prior to transferring to MSU and went undefeated in the regular season. Although Anthony has many accomplishments in his life, it has required his hard work and committed parents. Anthony endured significant bullying as a child. He has also met a number of challenges along the way and continues to face obstacles, but is determined to overcome them.

bullying