Sports Biographies 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.

March 28, 1992. The final of the NCAA East Regional, Duke vs. Kentucky. Millions could say they witnessed the greatest game and the greatest shot in the history of college basketball. But it wasn't just the final play - an 80-foot inbounds pass with 2.1 seconds left in overtime - that made Duke's 104-103 victory so memorable. Each player and coach arrived at that point with a unique story to tell. In The Last Great Game, ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski turns the game we think we remember into a drama filled with suspense, humor, revelations, and reverberations.

Mit einem verschmitzten Lächeln sagt er: "Was sich seit dem WM-Titel für mich geändert hat? - die Menschen in Deutschland wissen jetzt, dass Herbert nicht mein Vor- sondern mein Nachname ist." Gordon Herbert, der Architekt hinter der erfolgreichsten Ära des deutschen Basketballs und dem ersten Triumph bei einer Weltmeisterschaft, teilt in diesem Buch sein Erfolgsrezept.

In Max Scherzer: The Inspiring Story of One of Baseball's All-Star Pitchers, you will learn the story of one of baseball's best pitchers, Max Scherzer. Max Scherzer has been one of the best pitchers since entering the pros in 2006. At the time of this writing, Scherzer has been selected as an All-Star eight times, won three Cy Young Awards, pitched two no-hitters, and notably won the World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. Scherzer has carved out quite the legacy for himself, and will go down as one of the best pitchers in modern history of the game.

In Julius Erving: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Forwards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's legends, Julius Erving. Erving, also known as Dr. J, is widely considered one of the great superstars of professional basketball. Erving began his professional career with the American Basketball Association's Virginia Squires in 1971 before making a name for himself with the New York Nets.

In Steve Kerr: The Inspiring Life and Leadership Lessons of One of Basketball's Greatest Coaches, you will learn the story of one of basketball's premier coaches, Steve Kerr. Since joining the Warriors organization in the summer of 2014, Steve Kerr has catapulted the Golden State Warriors to become a perennial championship contender. He has demonstrated admirable leadership in his ability to create a sustainable system where players play like family and have fun.

In Manu Ginobili: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Sixth Men, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier players off the bench, Manu Ginobili. Since joining the NBA as the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Manu Ginobili has cemented his legacy as one of the most impressive sixth men to ever play the game. A four-time NBA champion, Manu's role in the core of the San Antonio dynasty is indisputable as he played alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in their championship runs in the early 2000s and more recently in 2014.

You will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest modern power forwards, Chris Bosh. Chris Bosh played a key role as a member of the Big Three that captured two NBA titles between 2010 and 2014. It was one of the most historic and dominant runs of a team as few could parallel the combined firepower of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Before joining the Heat, Bosh had an illustrious career as a member of the Toronto Raptors.

In Game Face, King finally opens up about his life on and off the court. In his book, King's basketball IQ is on full display as he breaks down defenses using his own unique system for taking shots from predetermined spots on the floor. King talks about matching up against some of the all-time NBA greats, from Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, and Charles Barkley to Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and many others.

A Nigerian native who emigrated to the United States at age 11, Alex Owumi's exploits on the basketball court earned him a college scholarship to Georgetown University. Undrafted by the NBA, Owumi pursued his basketball dream overseas, eventually signing with Al-Nasr of Libya, a state-run athletic club privately funded by the family of Libyan president Muammar Qaddafi.

Lloyd Daniels learned to hoop on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and Queens during the 1980s. "Swee'pea" they called him. His rep on the court traveled all the way to the Bronx and across the country, earning him enthusiastic comparisons to the likes of Magic Johnson. Swee'pea was sure to make it to the big time and out of a New York City where drugs and violence had gripped many of its neighborhoods. Eventually he did, leaving the city's asphalt courts for the shiny hardwoods of NCAA programs.

In Charles Barkley: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Power Forwards, you'll learn the inspirational story of basketball's legendary power forward Charles Barkley. Barkley was one of the most popular big men throughout 1980's and 1990's basketball due to his dominance on both sides of the court. He remains one of the greatest examples of how to overcome obstacles to become a great, as he went through his entire career as "undersized" compared to traditional power forwards.

In Bill Russell: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Legendary Centers, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's greatest players of all time, Bill Russell. In his 13-year career, Bill Russell accomplished what many NBA players today would dream of. He was an 11-time champion, 12-time All-Star, and five-time Most Valuable Player. He won the MVP award so many times that the league renamed the trophy after him in 2009! Listen to find out more.

Learn the inspiring story of the Indiana Pacers' star guard Victor Oladipo! As the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Victor Oladipo has grown accustomed to having high expectations riding on his shoulders. In his fifth season, Oladipo broke out as a new star.

Learn the inspiring story of the Philadelphia 76ers' star center Joel Embiid! As the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid has emerged as one of the top centers to play in the modern league due to his ability to do close to everything. Whether it's rebounding, blocking shots, or making three pointers, Joel Embiid is close to the total package when it comes to finding a franchise player.

One of basketball's grittiest point guards, Jeremy Lin had an incredible journey to get to where he is today as a highly-capable starting point guard. Despite his successes, Jeremy Lin remains incredibly humble and a role model for aspiring basketball players around the world. He has become a global icon, and you'll hear the inspirational story of what makes Jeremy so great and why it should be no surprise why he is so successful today.

In Rudy Gobert: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s Rising Star Centers, you'll learn the incredible story of one of basketball's centers, Rudy Gobert. In the last few years, Gobert has quickly emerged as a prominent big man in the league due to the significant impact he brings to the defensive end of the floor.

Learn the inspiring story of the Golden State Warriors' star sixth-man Andre Iguodala! In Andre Iguodala: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Skilled Forwards, you'll learn the incredible story of one of basketball's premier forwards, Andre Iguodala. Since entering the league as the ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Andre Iguodala has molded quite the career for himself.

In DeMarcus Cousins: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Top Centers, you'll hear about the inspirational story of basketball's star, DeMarcus Cousins. Since entering the league as the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, DeMarcus Cousins has made quite the name for himself as a premier big man. After spending nearly seven years as the face of the Sacramento Kings franchise, DeMarcus was given a fresh start mid-way through the 2016-2017 season as he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans to play alongside fellow star, Anthony Davis.

In Gordon Hayward: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Forwards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier forwards, Gordon Hayward. Few would have expected when he was selected with the 9th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft that Gordon Hayward would become as influential of a player as he is today. For seven years, he played on the Utah Jazz and helped the franchise return to prominence after it had spent years looking from the outside in during the playoffs.