Sports Biographies Basketball

Julius Erving, aka Dr. J, was a wizard with the basketball, performing feats the world had never seen before: midair spins and whirls punctuated by powerful slam dunks, which he was the first to glamorize. In a career that lasted from the 1970s well into the 1980s, he was one of the first players to make extemporaneous individual expression an integral part of the game, setting the style of play that has prevailed ever since. He's also long been respected as a gracious, dignified, and disciplined man. As there are great men of history, there are great men of sports, and Dr. J is just such a man.

Highlighted by the ESPN basketball documentary Black Magic, Ben Jobe's life and philosophy are captured in Staying Ahead of the Posse. This is history in the flesh, the history of basketball and the Civil Rights Movement, of desegregation and economic exploitation, of African independence and the modern-day plantation that is the American sports industry in general and the NCAA in particular. Ben's 40-plus years of coaching, teaching, nurturing, and mentoring intersected with and was influenced by all those factors.

During one unforgettable season as a Citadel cadet, Pat Conroy becomes part of a basketball team that is ultimately destined to fail. And yet for a military kid who grew up on the move, the Bulldogs provide a sanctuary from the cold, abrasive father who dominates his life- and a crucible for becoming his own man.

What happens when a 6' 9" kid from Lobelville, Tennessee is recruited by legendary basketball coach Bob Knight? Kirk Haston’s life was changed forever with just a two-minute phone call. Containing previously unknown Knight stories, anecdotes, and choice quotes, fans will gain an inside look at the notoriously private man and his no-nonsense coaching style. Which past Hoosier basketball greats returned to talk to and practice with current teams? How did the players feel when Knight was fired? In this touching and humorous audiobook, Haston shares these answers and more.

In 2008, the surviving members of the Crenshaw Post 715 American Legion team gathered in Sedona, Arizona, to honor the memory of Billy Consolo. Stories of their fallen teammate opened a door to cherished memories of time spent together in childhood, learning the game of life through the game of baseball. With no adults to supervise them in the playgrounds and sandlots, Carl Paul Maggio and his friends grew to understand the principles of fair play.

From 1971 to his retirement in 2011, Woody Durham was the "Voice of the Tar Heels," the radio play-by-play man for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In this autobiography, Woody takes the reader on a nostalgic stroll down memory lane - from his descriptions of a sleepy Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and the days of football legend Choo Choo Justice to the enormous changes in college sports and how they are covered to his dozens of behind-the-scenes stories about the coaches and players he worked with during his tenure.

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.

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.

In Bradley Beal: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Prolific Shooting Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's most promising young stars, Bradley Beal. Since being drafted with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Bradley Beal has played an instrumental role in the resurgence of the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference. Paired with fellow star John Wall, Beal and Wall have taken a once forgotten franchise back to the playoffs in recent years.

From the day Sports Illustrated deemed him “The Chosen One” when he was still in high school, LeBron James, a skinny kid from Akron, Ohio, rose to stardom for his world-class athleticism. Two decades, four NBA championships, three Olympic medals, four MVP awards, three teams, and eighteen All-Star selections later, LeBron is the reigning king of the NBA. LeBron: Life Lessons from The King offers courtside seats to the highs and lows of LeBron’s unbelievable journey and reveals valuable insights for anyone trying to make their own lofty dreams come true.

Long before he hit the big time as the play-by-play voice of the Texas Longhorns and San Antonio Spurs, sportscaster Bill Schoening paid lots of dues. Stories, Sports, and Songs is a collection of 101 tales that chronicle Schoening's unlikely and often humorous radio journey.

In Damian Lillard: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Guards, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's greatest guards, Damian Lillard. Since being drafted by the Portland Trailblazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Lillard has dazzled for Portland fans. In his time thus far in the league, Lillard has consistently been one of the best point guards in the entire league, and helped Portland contend every year in the difficult Western Conference.

In Kevin Garnett: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Power Forwards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier power forwards, Kevin Garnett. Since joining the NBA directly from high school, Kevin Garnett has had a highly productive and legendary career in the NBA as a leader and as a basketball player.

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 Isaiah Thomas: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Prolific Point Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier point guards, Isaiah Thomas. The Boston Celtics secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2016-2017 season behind the leadership of Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, just 5' 9'' in stature, has overcome many obstacles to become one of the best scorers in the league. His ability to both penetrate and create shot opportunities for himself are truly impressive, making him the Celtics' go-to scorer in the fourth quarter.

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 Jaylen Brown: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Rising Stars, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's rising star forward guards Jaylen Brown. Brown has quickly emerged as part of the future of leading the Boston Celtics alongside Jayson Tatum. Since joining the league just four years ago from this writing, Jaylen Brown has gone from averaging a little over six points a game to over twenty points a game.

In Tony Parker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you'll hear about the inspirational story of basketball's premier point guard, Tony Parker. Tony Parker became one of the first international players to create a lasting impact in the NBA at the point guard position. In an age filled with greats like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Tim Duncan, Parker played in one of the most exciting eras of modern basketball.

The inspiring story of Isaiah Austin, the man who captured our hearts when he was made the honorary NBA draft pick after a shocking diagnosis ended his professional basketball career before he could even step onto the court.