Las Vegas in July is electric. NBA Summer League packs the stands, sports bettors swarm the casinos, and sneaker-clad fans flood hotel lobbies chasing glimpses of rising stars. Just off the Las Vegas Strip at the Bellagio Hotel, amid the chaos of basketball’s biggest offseason moment, two hometown changemakers were making their own mark on the global sports scene.
The Athletes Abroad Summit, co-founded by West Memphis natives Dr. Tywanna Smith and Sonny Weems, wasn’t a sideshow to the NBA’s main event. It was a bold, strategic move aimed at elevating a growing class of American athletes thriving outside the spotlight of domestic leagues.
Now in its second year, the summit drew more than 100 players, professionals and global thought leaders for a two-day exchange on what it takes to succeed on international grounds — and what that success means for their futures, their communities and the next generation of talent.
“We realized that the global sports environment is the future for all sports,” said Smith, a former international player and current University of Memphis instructor. “And we had a responsibility to mobilize resources to support the thousands of athletes who compete outside the U.S.”
Smith, who has advised more than 60 professional athletes over nearly two decades, said her client conversations — especially with Weems — revealed a gap in support for those who build careers overseas.
“Players abroad deal with the scrutiny of being a professional athlete plus the challenges of assimilating in another country,” she said. “This niche group has no players’ union, no formal support. The time is now.”
The idea is rooted in Memphis. Smith and Weems grew up just across the bridge in West Memphis, and their work, especially with athlete development at the University of Memphis, keeps them connected to the talent pipeline in the Mid-South.
“Many athletes from Memphis have lived the dream, earned a great living and visited places some people only read about,” Smith said. “[I tell athletes], ‘That could be you if you work hard, stay focused and surround yourself with the right people.’”
The summit’s agenda included sessions on entrepreneurship, brand-building and navigating health care abroad. It also included former University of Memphis Lady Tiger Pasha Cook as a session moderator.
It wasn’t just athletes in the room. One highlight of the event was the appearance of El Salvador Vice President Félix Ulloa, who spoke to summit-goers about how his country is using sports to reduce crime. Smith said the message resonated deeply.
“When youth are engaged and challenged to utilize their skills, there is evidence to support the positive effects on crime reduction,” she said. “In Memphis, we must explore how extracurricular activities can transform the community.”
Weems, who played in the NBA before building a long international career in China, agreed. “Many athletes start foundations, fund sports leagues or build facilities that create safe spaces for kids,” he said. “These programs teach teamwork, discipline and resilience. They also keep them away from gangs or criminal activities during vulnerable hours.”
Hosting the summit during NBA Summer League was no accident. “NBA Summer League is an experience that attracts many people in the global sports ecosystem at the same time,” Weems said. “It’s a great way for players to network and for other professionals to collaborate.”
Smith added that international leagues aren’t just fallback options but viable first choices. “There are hundreds of leagues abroad,” she said. “But success requires maturity, independence and accountability. That’s what we help athletes understand.”
For many women athletes, international play is the best-paying or most accessible path. “Women often choose to play abroad if there aren’t enough roster spots in the U.S. or if they can earn more money elsewhere,” Smith said.
And now, Smith and Weems are expanding the platform through film. Their upcoming documentary “Ballin’ Abroad” chronicles the lives of American athletes navigating professional sports overseas.
“I want to show them as people — people who experience both struggles and triumphs,” Smith said. “As two kids from West Memphis, we are excited to share this story with our Mid-South family and fans around the world.”
The story, Weems said, is ultimately about pushing boundaries. “If you are always comfortable, you will never grow,” he said. “I’ve been able to see the world because I forced myself out of my comfort zone. That’s what we want these athletes to do — grow, expand, build something that lasts.”
In a city known for its big bets, Smith and Weems aren’t just wagering on sports. They’re investing in people, purpose and the power of international play. They’re showing athletes playing abroad how to win beyond the game.
