Basketball Memoir

La muerte de Kobe Bryant en enero de 2020 estremeció el mundo de los deportes y las celebridades. La tragedia de ese accidente de helicóptero puso de manifiesto lo lejos que llega su influencia en nuestra cultura. "El ascenso" es un riguroso trabajo de investigación periodística en el que se cuenta la historia a menudo olvidada y menos conocida de los primeros años de la vida de Kobe Bryant.

Larry Miller is the tough-as-nails, fun-loving, working-class bad boy who in the 1960s saved young North Carolina coach Dean Smith's job by winning his first two ACC titles and a trip to the National Championship game. A two-time All American, Miller is still the only Tar Heel ever named ACC Player of the Year twice. He was also the first heartthrob of the modern ACC before moving on to become "the Joe Namath of the ABA", setting the pro league's all-time single-game scoring record. And then he simply disappeared.

An inspirational journey from a shattered dream to the Cincinnati Bearcats.

At the age of 15, high school sophomore and basketball player David Cooks experienced a spinal aneurism, leaving him a T-6 paraplegic. Refusing to let the wheelchair determine the man, he made the decision to persevere from the very beginning - and he never let go of his passion for life the game of basketball. In Getting Undressed, David describes his journey to independence and purpose, and how “getting undressed” for change can pose huge challenges, literally and figuratively, while creating opportunities for victories.

In this, the definitive biography of Hall of Fame inductee and one of college basketball's most controversial and successful coaches, son Danny Tarkanian takes us through a first-hand accounting of the life, controversy, and triumphs of historic UNLV coach Jerry "The Shark" Tarkanian. From his immigrant roots through his own school days as an athlete, through the continual conflict with the NCAA and the eventual shocking outcome, with play-by-play action of the greatest games, and with a first-hand account of finally breaking through to win a national championship.

Kobe Bryant - wherever you are in the world, you know who he is. Go on a roller-coaster ride as you hear about how his dedication and passion inspired generations! Kobe is one of the most loved and also most hated players in the game. Everything you need to know about basketball's greatest is in this book!

It’s hard enough coming out, but playing basketball for a nationally ranked school and trying to figure out your sexual identity in the closeted and paranoid world of big-time college sports - that’s a challenge. Kate Fagan’s love for basketball and for her religious teammates at the University of Colorado was tested by the gut-wrenching realization that she could no longer ignore the feelings of otherness inside her. In trying to blend in, Kate had created a hilariously incongruous world for herself in Boulder.

John B. McLendon was the last living protégé of basketball’s inventor Dr. James Naismith and one of the “top ten basketball coaches of the century” in Billy Packer’s opinion. McLendon’s amazing records in college and pro basketball earned him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame (the first Black coach to be inducted), and his coaching philosophy has had a huge influence on basketball coaches.

You're about to discover the incredibly inspirational story of basketball superstar Kevin Durant. If you're reading this, then you must be a Kevin Durant fan, like so many others. As a fan, you must wonder how this man is so talented and want to know more about him. Kevin Durant is considered one of the greatest basketball players in the world, and it's been an honor to be able to watch him play throughout his career.

Jarvis Johnson was a 13-year-old basketball prodigy when he collapsed on a basketball court in 2010. But he didn't just faint. His heart stopped...for 10 minutes. He shouldn't have survived. He not only survived, but through the amazing faith and perseverance of Jarvis and his family, he's thrived and became one of the best basketball players in the country.

In this book, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest ambassadors, Yao Ming. Yao Ming was the face of the Houston Rockets franchise alongside Tracy McGrady. Throughout the 2000s, the duo led the Rockets in a tough Western Conference. While Yao ultimately was forced to retire early due to injuries, the impact he left on the game at an international level was profound.

Verne Lundquist's remarkable broadcasting career has placed him at the center of major sporting events in America for more than 50 years, from Jack Nicklaus' final victory at the 1986 Masters to Tonya Harding's attack on Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympics to the Auburn-Alabama shocker of 2013. In his first memoir, he replays highlights from his career, taking sports fans behind the scenes of some of the most dramatic moments in modern sports history.

Paul Westhead was teaching high school in his native Philadelphia when he was named La Salle University’s men’s basketball coach in 1970. By 1980 he was a Los Angeles Lakers assistant, soon to be hired as head coach, winning an NBA title with Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and rookie guard Magic Johnson.

In Oscar Robertson: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s Greatest Point Guards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's point guard legends, Oscar Robertson. Known as “The Big O”, Oscar Robertson played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks back in the early '60s and '70s. Robertson is a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA team selection, and a one-time winner of the Most Valuable Player award.

In Clyde Drexler: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Guards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest guards. Clyde Drexler, also known as "Clyde the Glide", was known for his graceful play on the court and his signature move, "the Glide". He played in the National Basketball Association for 15 years, 12 of which were with the Portland Trail Blazers, before spending the final season of his career with the Houston Rockets.

In Mike Conley Jr.: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s All-Star Point Guards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's most consistent point guards, Mike Conley. Conley is best known for his 12-year stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played an integral role in the grit and grind culture alongside Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Those Memphis teams were forces to be reckoned with, as they frequently stirred up noise in the playoffs, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

In Khris Middleton: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s All-Star Shooting Guards, you'll learn the backstory of one of basketball's most underrated shooting guards, Khris Middleton. Khris was drafted by Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA draft before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. At the time of this writing, Khris is a two-time NBA all-star player and he played a large part in helping the Bucks win their first NBA title in 50 years. Many regarded Khris as the go-to closer in the 2021 NBA Finals.

In Mike D'Antoni: The Inspiring Life and Leadership Lessons of One of Basketball's Greatest Coaches, you will learn the story of how Mike D'Antoni became the legend he is today. At the time of this writing, D'Antoni has accomplished a great deal being awarded two NBA Coach of the Year awards and serving as the NBA All-Star Game head coach twice.

The basketball rivalry between Duke and North Carolina is the fiercest and longest-running blood feud in college athletics, and perhaps in all of sports. To legions of otherwise reasonable adults, it is a conflict that surpasses athletics; it is rich against poor, locals against outsiders, even good against evil. In North Carolina, where both schools reside, it is a way of aligning oneself with larger philosophic ideals—of choosing teams in life—a tradition of partisanship that reveals the pleasures and even the necessities of hatred.

Diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, as a toddler, Anthony Ianni wasn't expected to succeed in school or participate in sports, but he had other ideas. As a child, Ianni told anybody who would listen, including head coach Tom Izzo, that he would one day play for the Michigan State Spartans.