Sports Basketball

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.

It seems unlikely that James Naismith, who grew up playing "Duck on the Rock" in the rural community of Almonte, Canada, would invent one of America's most popular sports. But Rob Rains and Hellen Carpenter's fascinating, in-depth biography James Naismith: The Man Who Invented Basketball shows how this young man - who wanted to be a medical doctor, or if not that, a minister (in fact, he was both) - came to create a game that has endured for over a century.

Hoop Dreams Fulfilled is a detailed, first-person account of an athlete's failures and struggles on his way to playing professional basketball. Through in-depth experiences, Tyson Hartnett describes his journey playing basketball starting in fourth grade, through high school, college, and eventually professionally overseas. He profiles his mistakes and failures and his eventual redemption.

Since entering the NBA, Pau Gasol has created a legacy for himself as one of the best international basketball players to play in the NBA. As a dominant leader of the Memphis Grizzlies, a key contributor to an LA Lakers championship team, and now a valued member of the Chicago Bulls, Pau Gasol has adapted well to the different chapters of his basketball career, maintaining relevance on the court as a respected veteran. In this book we'll explore how Pau ended up in the NBA as well as the impact he has left behind on the game.

Stephen Curry is a star player for the Golden State Warriors. Engaging text and critical-thinking questions will make this book a slam dunk with young basketball fans.

Caitlin Clark, an undeniable force in women's basketball, has transformed the sport with her incredible talent, determination, and charisma. From her early successes to the challenges she faces today, Clark's journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of women's basketball. Her impact on the WNBA is profound, promising to reshape the future of the league and inspire a new generation of athletes.

In Fred VanVleet: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s Underdogs, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's underdogs, Fred VanVleet. Despite going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Fred VanVleet carved quite a name for himself as a key member of the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors. It's hard to believe that just a few years before that historic run, VanVleet was chipping away at finding a role in the league. Much has changed since his first year in the league, as VanVleet is now considered one of the most important pieces of the Raptors' rotation.

Have you ever wondered how Kevin Durant became one of the best basketball players on the court today? Both on and off the court, Kevin Durant has provided inspiration for millions since he first blazed onto NBA courts with his unique style of playing. In this Kevin Durant life story, you’ll discover the most comprehensive biography of the man behind the legend yet. A full biography of his career from high school to the NBA is covered including the highs and lows, along with some explosive insider information never seen before.

Learn the inspiring story of the Toronto Raptors' star shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan! DeMar DeRozan has quickly emerged as one of the premier scorers in the NBA, with a ruthless ability to score that reminds many of none other than a combination of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. In this unauthorized biography, we'll explore DeMar's incredible life story and impact on the game of basketball.

Before I ever dribbled a ball, I loved watching basketball. I was captivated by the amazing skill and athleticism of the players I watched on TV. Whenever I think back to some of those moments, I feel like a kid who is falling in love with basketball all over again. My hope is that through this book, whether you’re young or old, you too can experience that feeling.

Point guard Caitlin Clark took the world of college basketball by storm when she began playing for the University of Iowa in 2020, earning 27 points in her first game alone. By the end of her college career, Caitlin broke the record for total NCAA career-scoring points by scoring 3,951 points over her four years as an Iowa Hawkeye. The high-scoring athlete grabbed the attention of the world—over 14 million viewers tuned in to watch her playoff games in April of 2024.

Pro basketball player Rasheed Wallace often exclaimed the pragmatic truth "Ball don't lie!" during a game. It is a protest against a referee's bad calls. But the slogan, which originated in pickup games, brings the reality of a racialized urban playground into mainstream American popular culture.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be the best basketball player who ever lived, then Legends in Sports: Michael Jordan is the audiobook for you. In this exciting biography, Matt Christopher, the number one children’s sportswriter in America, puts you on the basketball court with the legendary superstar. Take an inside look at the triumphs, struggles, and statistics of one of the most determined players in National Basketball Association history.

Despite this hard work, not many reach their full potential, and most never fulfill their aspirations. Having ambitious goals is necessary, but goals don't get you anywhere. In Win the Day, you will learn about the key mindset to adopt to raise your game on and off the court, and how to implement them within the MyStride Approach, a comprehensive and robust training management system. This book will increase your discipline, consciousness, and consistency in your training.

"The Remarkable Journey: From Adversity to Legend" is an inspiring tale that explores the indomitable human spirit's capacity to triumph over life's most challenging obstacles. This powerful narrative, while fictional, draws inspiration from the author's own experiences, weaving a story of resilience, determination, and the enduring pursuit of greatness. At its heart, this book is a celebration of the unwavering belief that one can overcome any challenge, no matter how insurmountable, with grit and determination.

The college basketball scandals of 1951 were to basketball what the 1919 Black Sox scandals were to baseball - a loss of innocence, after which the game would be permanently tarnished, its relationship to power and big money firmly established. In Scandals of '51, Charley Rosen identifies all the major figures - including players, coaches, gangsters, clergymen, politicians - that made up the elaborate network that controlled the outcomes to many games or protected those who did so.

In The Jump, one of America's great sports writers follows high school phenom Sebastian Telfair on his quest for NBA stardom - and exposes all that big-time sports in America has become, the good and the bad. Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James - all became NBA superstars without playing a day of college ball. In 2004, Coney Island's 5-foot-11 Telfair became the first small player ever to jump straight from high school to the NBA when he signed contracts with the Portland Trail Blazers and Adidas worth $25 million.

There are few places more exciting than the basketball court. Yet few kids realize just how exciting the whole story of the game really is. More than 210 million people follow the NBA league across its various social media platforms, making it the most popular sports league in the world. So why is it that no one really understands its history? If your kids aspire to be the next LeBron James, they’re already hungry for basketball knowledge.

When you think of Stephen Curry, one word comes to mind: greatness. From shooting three-pointers with laser precision to his clutch ability to hit buzzer-beaters time and again, he has established himself as one of the best players in pro basketball. But greatness was never a guarantee for Steph.

Whether you call him King James or simply LeBron, one thing is certain: LeBron James is the face of the NBA. At just eighteen, and facing sky-high expectations, LeBron headed straight from high school to the pros. Cool under pressure, he went on to shatter the record books and become the most popular athlete in America. Yet nothing was ever handed to LeBron. As a kid, he had to move homes constantly, even separating from his mother for a time. But through all the adversity, he took his natural talent and combined it with hard work to set himself on a path to greatness.