On Episode 38 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen (Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with former NBA star and Baton Rouge native Tyrus Thomas to unpack the business of sports, the rise of NIL, and what life looks like after the league. From his journey at LSU to becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Tyrus shares how basketball took him from South Baton Rouge to global arenas and how purpose, mentorship, and mental health became his new game plan.

From the billion-dollar youth sports industry to the cultural impact of NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) deals, Tyrus breaks down how money is reshaping the game and what it means for young athletes and their families. He also opens up about the emotional toll of transitioning out of pro sports, the lessons fame taught him about self-awareness, and how he’s now using his platform to help the next generation win on and off the court.

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Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — From LSU to the League: Who is Tyrus Thomas and what he’s building today

(02:58) Coaching to Mentorship — Why Tyrus left the sidelines to coach life, not basketball

(04:35) South Baton Rouge Roots — Basketball as a safe space and life teacher

(06:40) The Moment Everything Changed — Beating Duke and realizing the dream was real

(11:53) Leaving LSU — Family struggle, tough choices, and the business of going pro

(14:05) NIL Reality Check — How the new system distorts value and entitlement for young athletes

(22:41) The Youth Sports Hustle — How parents, schools, and private equity turned kids into a business

(27:15) Burnout & Balance — Overtraining, injuries, and the lost art of player development

(39:39) From Lights Off to the League — Adjusting to sudden wealth and lessons in humility

(48:25) Life After the NBA — Identity, self-awareness, and the journey toward mental health

(56:01) Passion Over Paychecks — Why doing what you love matters more than money

(59:35) Rich Lesson — Legacy, leadership, and lifting the next generation of athletes

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Rich Lessons is presented by GRITS // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

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