Basketball Memoir

Manute Bol was the first African-born player in the NBA and, at seven foot seven inches, the tallest. In the 1980s and 90s he was also among the league's most fearsome shot-blockers and its most beloved figures. Off the basketball court, however, Bol's story was more remarkable than most fans ever knew. Activist, gambler, joker, rebel-Bol was a complex man whose fate was inextricably bound with that of the Sudan, his homeland.

Magic Johnson is one of the most beloved, and at times controversial, athletes in history. He lifted the dowdy sport of American pro basketball into the global spotlight, a transformation driven by his ability to eviscerate opponents with a grand sense of fun. He was a master entertainer who directed basketball to the heights of both glory and epic excess, all of it driven by his mind-blowing no-look passes and personal charm.

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.

This audiobook is an uplifting story, based on the life of Worthy Patterson; one of the first black players in the NBA. Real life historical events are weaved into Worthy's upbringing, all the way through his final career position as an executive in the record music industry.

For two decades a father kept a secret journal documenting the life of his only son, Christopher, who was born profoundly deaf. He had a simple dream of someday presenting that journal to Christopher as a special gift from father to son. But as each new challenge was surmounted, it became clear Christopher Caulfield’s story had to be shared.

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.

Have you ever wanted to know what makes Lebron James such a successful player? From the high school courts in Akron, Ohio, to the height of his career in the NBA, LeBron James has consistently dazzled and amazed opponents and spectators with his own playing style. There are some great athletes in the NBA, but LeBron is on another level: How did he achieve so much?

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.

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His talent, passion, and will-to-win is known worldwide. He is a philanthropist, an endorser, an entertainer, and possibly a criminal. He is an intellectual, a man who speaks multiple languages. He was born a great athlete and became an even greater one. He is a complicated family man, a misunderstood leader, and an enigma to some. To others, he is truly one of the greatest athletes ever, one who can do things on a basketball court that no other human can do.

Learn the Incredible Story of the Utah Jazz's Star Guard Donovan Mitchell! In Donovan Mitchell: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Rising Star Guards, you'll learn the inspirational story of basketball's shooting guard, Donovan Mitchell. Donovan Mitchell is easily one of the most exciting young players to watch for many years ahead. He still has yet to enter his true prime, but one thing is certain: Mitchell has a bright basketball career ahead of him.

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.

Kobe Bryant was a true legend. He was one of the greatest basketball players of all time and also a known philanthropist, an Academy Award winner, and a loving husband. His untimely death in a helicopter crash came as a shock to the entire world. Even people who had little interest in basketball were deeply affected by the passing of this outstanding person. This audiobook is a collection of tweets that document the world’s immediate reaction to the tragic news.

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.

For some the game of basketball is just a game; for others, a lifelong calling. *Life Lessons Thru the Lens of Basketball* is a celebration of values like perseverance, adaptability, and teamwork. Each chapter explores quotes from legends such as Dr. J, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Pat Riley, Wilt Chamberlain, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant, showing how challenges on the court mirror those in life.

In this inspiring and practical book, Marc Reed shares his personal journey from being cut from his high school basketball team to becoming a starter and leading his team to a historic season. Through his own experiences and the valuable lessons he learned along the way, Marc provides invaluable insights and strategies to help newcomers navigate the world of basketball with confidence and skill.

In Grant Hill: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Resilient Forwards, you'll hear about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Grant Hill. Grant Hill was once the go-to man as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Despite several potentially career-ending injuries, Grant persevered through countless surgeries and evolved his style of playing basketball to become a consistent contributing member of the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers in the latter half of his career.

In Jason Kidd: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier point guards. Jason Kidd was easily one of the best point guards to play the game of basketball throughout the 2000s. With an extraordinary ability to pass the ball at precisely the right time, Kidd was like Steve Nash in that he made the teammates around him fundamentally better.

Derrick Rose is one of the best basketball players on the planet. Most people know that he is a dominating guard on the Chicago Bulls out of the University of Memphis but, in order to truly understand Derrick Rose, you must first understand where he came from. Derrick Rose: An Unauthorized Biography explores Rose's upbringing, his high school and college basketball careers, and details his breakthrough into the NBA, all the way through his 2012 playoff injury against Philadelphia.

Kevin Durant is one of the NBA's best basketball players, and now is an NBA champion! What many don't know though is how Durant was able to rise to stardom. As a child he grew up in a poor family in a rough neighborhood, where they struggled to get by. Somehow though, he was able to overcome all odds and join the NBA's elite, and finally fulfill his dream of becoming an NBA champion! This book takes you through Kevin Durant's life and career to date. You will learn all about his childhood, his high school and college careers, and of course his time in the NBA.

In Nikola Vucevic: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketballs Most Skilled Centers, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's newest All-Stars, Nikola Vucevic. Since being traded to the Orlando Magic as a piece in the blockbuster Dwight Howard trade, Nikola Vucevic has made a name for himself as one of the most consistent double-double machines in the league. In the 2018-2019 NBA season, he was recognized for his steady improvement over the years with his first All-Star appearance.