Rony Seikaly transitions from NBA to successful DJ career

Rony Seikaly, the Miami Heat's first-ever draft pick, has transitioned from basketball to a successful career as a DJ. He was chosen ninth overall by the Heat in 1988 and went on to make a significant impact on the team. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Seikaly grew up in Greece before moving to the U.S. for college. He played for Syracuse University, leading them to the NCAA finals in 1987 and retiring as the school’s all-time leading rebounder. After 11 years in the NBA, he later played in Barcelona before retiring in 2000. Following his basketball career, Seikaly launched a real estate company, which has thrived into a multi-million-dollar business. However, his true passion lies in electronic music. Now known as 'The Spin Doctor,' he has performed at major events like Burning Man and popular clubs in Ibiza and Las Vegas. Seikaly has faced challenges in his music career, especially in being taken seriously as a DJ after being a professional athlete. He expressed that people should judge him for his music. He finds playing to a crowd to be a joyful experience, much less pressured than competing in basketball. Despite his height making it challenging to perform, he values the experience and creativity he gets from DJing. Seikaly recalls how his love for house music was often misunderstood by his basketball teammates, who referred to it dismissively. Additionally, Seikaly's compassion was evident when he supported Magic Johnson during a time of crisis in 1992, promoting understanding and acceptance of HIV/AIDS. Today, at 59, he reflects on his journey and enjoys living his dreams of music and travel.