Tony White clearly understands the meaning of hard work. For over a decade, White has faced the fiercest competitors – first on the court and later in the courtroom.

As a power-forward for the Buckeyes during the 1986-89 seasons, White made his presence known, scoring 672 career points and averaging 3.4 rebounds as a two-year starter.

Like most scholarship basketball players, White had dreams off breaking into the National Basketball Association (NBA). However by his junior year, White began thinking of ‘Plan B’.

“While I had a good career at Ohio State, I wasn’t posting the numbers needed to have a good chance at the next level,” White said. “So I started thinking about how I was going to pay the bills. I think every scholarship athlete playing at Ohio State is there thinking about a professional career in basketball because it is a great platform.”

But all his hard work and sweat taught White discipline and a work ethic that would later help him muscle through law school. The ‘never quit’ attitude he learned during four grueling Big Ten seasons helped him again climb into the spotlight – but this time as a standout trial lawyer.

“Playing basketball at Ohio State gave me the mindset for competition needed as a trial lawyer,” White said. “Every time you walk into court you have to be ready to compete against your adversary. For four years, I was preparing to compete at the highest level of college basketball.”

Now, the 6-foot-7-inch Pataskala, Ohio, native is making strides in his professional career, becoming the youngest partner-in-charge at a Columbus law firm taking the lead at Thompson Hine in January 2004.

Welcoming another challenge, White was thrilled to take on the responsibility and is proud to represent Thompson Hine as he works with clients like R&L Carriers.

A graduate of the Northwestern College of Law, White used the time away from the Buckeye state to live under the radar of the public eye.

“Going to Northwestern was an opportunity for me to get away from Columbus for a few years,” White said. “Playing basketball at Ohio State puts you in the public eye. For a few years I didn’t want to live in a fishbowl and just live anonymously.”

But White’s love of Ohio State and Big Ten basketball soon again found him in the public eye becoming the on-air radio analyst for WTVN, a position he has held for a decade. Filling the role of husband, father, boss and on-air talent is a balancing act for White but he loves each component of his life.

“It gets tough because I have to stay up to speed with what’s happening in the Ohio State basketball program, the Big Ten and recruiting,” White said. “But I enjoy being able to give my opinion and love that people want to listen to my opinion.”

While his dream of playing professional ball did not pan out as he may have liked, White has gone on to become a slam-dunk lawyer and popular basketball analyst. With memories of winning the 1986 NIT Championships as a freshman and seeing teammate Denny Hopson break the Ohio State all-time scoring record, White will always be a Buckeye without objection.