Called for Traveling is a pro basketball journey that spans four
continents, seven countries and twelve teams over eleven hilarious and
adventurous years. After playing his college ball at Penn State, Tyler
Smith had a path in mind of where he wanted his pro basketball career to
lead. Bringing his own toilet paper to away games, courts made of
concrete, and fully-geared riot police at every stadium were not part of
his original dream.
Where were all the big contracts people talked about? Would he even have
a job next season--or next week? And would he be playing for free this
month because the team didn't feel like paying him?
In this highly unstable and unorthodox overseas lifestyle as a
professional basketball player, Smith draws readers in quickly with his
humor and ability to share his clever stories that seem outrageous, but
are 100 percent true. His attitude and faith are tested relentlessly
through bounced paychecks, injuries, and the seemingly endless
frustrating reality of people around him speaking a language he could
not understand.
From Italy to Japan to Uruguay, and even the NBA, the challenges and
adventures only accelerate as Tyler's wife and kids are added to the
overseas equation. His unique story is highly engaging whether or not
you're a basketball junkie. Called for Traveling is an honest and
entertaining inside look at one man's journey playing pro basketball
around the world.
