Terrell Jamerson is the #1 high school basketball player in the country. His team is poised to win State, top colleges are lining up to give him scholarships, and everyone says he could play in the NBA tomorrow. But it only takes one false step to lose everything.   Danny Wilcox is Terrell’s best friend and teammate, and a top prospect himself, but these days it seems like everyone wants to get close to Terrell: the sneaker guys, the money managers, the college boosters. They show up offering fast cars, hot girls, and cold, hard cash. They say they just want to help, but their kind of help could get Terrell disqualified.   Danny and Terrell better keep their eyes on the ball if they hope to last the season.   John Feinstein has been praised as “the best writer of sports books in America today” (The Boston Globe), and he proves it again in this fast-paced novel.   “Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred

    Even more important, he succeeded in never wavering from coaching his way, from a place of deep values. Jackson was tagged as the “Zen master” half in jest by sportswriters, but the nickname speaks to an important truth: this is a coach who inspired, not goaded; who led by awakening and challenging the better angels of his players’ nature, not their egos, fear, or greed.This is the story of a preacher’s kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. In his quest to reinvent himself, Jackson explored everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head. In Eleven Rings, Jackson candidly describes how he:Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970sManaged Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring titleForged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in syncInspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselvesTransformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team.Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship—six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. We all know the legendary stars on those teams, or think we do. What Eleven Rings shows us, however, is that when it comes to the most important lessons, we don’t know very much at all. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others.

    If you're reading this then you must be a Stephen Curry fan, like so many others. As a fan, you must wonder how this man is so talented and want to know more about him. Stephen Curry is considered as 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. This book will reveal to you much about Stephen Curry's story and the many accomplishments throughout his career. Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... Youth and Family Life High School and College Career Professional Career and Personal Life Legacy, Charitable Acts and much more! If you want to learn more about Stephen Curry, then this book is for you. It will reveal to you many things that you did not know about this incredible basketball star! Download today! About the Author: Inspirational Stories is a series aimed at highlighting the great athletes of our society. Our mission is to present the stories of athletes who are not only impactful in their sport, but also great people outside of it. The athletes we write about have gone above and beyond to become impactful in their community and great role models for the youth, all while showing excellence in their profession. We publish concise, easily consumable books that portray the turning points in the lives of these great athletes, while also giving the context in which they occurred. Our books are especially great for children who look up to sports figures. Hopefully these athletes can serve as a source of inspiration and their stories can provide life lessons that are practical for fans of any demographic.

    But 50 years ago it was a floor-bound game, and the opportunities it offered for African-Americans were severely limited.A key turning point was 1963, when the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago took the NCAA men’s basketball title from Cincinnati, the two-time defending champions. It was one of Chicago’s most memorable sports victories, but Ramblers reveals it was also a game for the history books because of the transgressive lineups fielded by both teams.Ramblers is an entertaining, detail-rich look back at the unlikely circumstances that led to Loyola’s historic championship and the stories of two Loyola opponents: Cincinnati and Mississippi State. Michael Lenehan’s narrative masterfully intertwines these stories in dramatic fashion, culminating with the tournament’s final game, a come-from-behind overtime upset that featured two buzzer-beating shots.While on the surface this is a book about basketball, it goes deeper to illuminate how sport in America both typifies and drives change in the broader culture. The stark social realities of the times are brought vividly to life in Lenehan’s telling, illustrating the challenges faced in teams’ efforts simply to play their game against the worthiest opponents.

    Now readers can easily draw from his insights on a regular basis. Wooden was also named Coach of the Century by ESPN and won ten NCAA championships as head coach of men's basketball at UCLA. Since then, his often relayed wisdom has reinforced his status as a modern-day legend. Wooden's memorable mottos, unforgettable turns of phrase, and timeless, sage advice have enriched countless lives. These principles are gracefully captured in this special gift book of quotations.

    As a freshman at Syracuse University in 2003, he led his team to victory in the national championship game. Next Carmelo joined the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Denver Nuggets for the 2003-2004 season. As one of the best scorers in basketball, he helped turn the Nuggets into a winning team. Carmelo loves playing in front of his hometown fans after being traded to the New York Knicks during the 2010-2011 season. Learn more about one of the NBA's biggest stars.

    Due in no small part to the self-discipline and strong values his grandmother instilled in him, plus his singular talent, Penny beat the incredible odds and made it to the NBA. He was such a special player that it seemed inevitable that he would win at least one championship and end up in the Hall of Fame. But dogged by injuries, Penny was never able to live up to his full basketball star potential.After retirement Penny returned to Memphis and struggled with the question most professional athletes face when their bright-lights careers come to an end: What now? The unexpected answer came from Desmond Merriweather, one of Penny’s oldest friends. Desmond had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and needed someone to replace him as head coach of the Lester Middle School basketball team in the same dangerous neighborhood where Penny grew up. Without hesitating, Penny On These Courts is the moving story of Coach Penny helping his young players navigate their way through impossible circumstances: failing grades, incarcerated fathers, gang pressures, and the crime-ridden streets of Memphis. But Penny never shied away. He selflessly provided on-the-court coaching, helped kids with homework, and became a positive role model who is committed to staying involved in their lives. But this is not just a story about Penny; the true stars are the kids on the Lester Lions team—Robert Washington, Reggie Green, Kobe Freeman, and Desmond’s own son Nick Merriweather— who rewarded Penny with his first championship season, winning the state title by one point. A penny.A story of hope and inspiration, struggle, and triumph, On These Courts reveals the importance and power of taking a stand in a community and learning what it truly means to give back.A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Penny’s FastBreak Courts, part of Penny Hardaway’s ongoing efforts to help at-risk youth in the Memphis community.

    While Hidden Valley Junior High has always been a powerhouse in football, the school has never done as well in basketball. Ronde is a good passer, but he needs Tiki to get free to sink his shots. Tiki doesn’t feel the inner confidence he felt on the football field: it’s one thing to play in the driveway, but it’s another to sink one on the court, when so much is on the line. The brothers need a winning attitude—and they need to bring everyone together to win. That is their only way to victory. Can they do it?

    His one major sports victory is a world championship in roller basketball, which is basketball on in-line skates. More than ten years ago, he started pursuing his own bucket list and embarked on a hilarious and insightful journey into the furthest reaches of the sports world."Man versus Ball" follows Hart s adventures around the country as he undertakes new missions, often with unexpected results. He becomes a pro wrestler, learning fake moves that all but land him in the hospital after a body slam went awry. He plays an entire season for a championship semipro football team, suits up as a U.S. Open ball boy for three years, and is an amateur caddie for a Professional Golfers Association tournament. After attending mascot school, he performs in a neon gorilla suit in front of several thousand fans at a minor league hockey game. He works as a vendor at several venues around the country, hawking concessions while fending off drunken fans. He even earns a bit of glory for himself, leading his roller basketball league in rebounds for two consecutive seasons. Feeling confident, he takes part in the World Cup of roller soccer, which is soccer on in-line skates. All this prepares him for his moment of truth: a race up the 1,576 stairs of the Empire State Building.A George Plimpton style excursion into the athletic unknown, "Man versus Ball" will delight and inspire readers who have secretly yearned to cross fun items off their life s to-do list.

    Through 16 chapters and more than 200 color photographs, Pau gives readers plenty of reasons to see what makes him such a beloved sports figure around the world. Join Pau on his journey and discover what makes him so well-liked off the court. Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant write in the book's forewords that Pau is not only a gifted athlete; he is a treasured friend, a good brother, and a respected Renaissance man. And in his own words-both English and Spanish-Pau reveals details about his private life, including moments with his family, his values, his philanthropy, his love of music, and much more

    For nearly a decade, the two celebrated coaches shared an office and developed a close friendship that lasted 35 years until Wooden’s passing. Adams’s heartwarming narrative details discussions they shared about heroes, history, life, and their mutual favorite pastime—baseball. The book also reflects on Wooden’s core philosophies and the guiding principles behind his numerous basketball successes, including his election into two halls of fame as a player and a coach, winning 10 National College Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships in a 12-year period, and being named NCAA College Basketball Coach of the Year six times. Recollections from Major League Baseball stars Eric Karros, David Roberts, and Chase Utley are also included, along with quotes from other athletes and associates of UCLA.

    He could soar through the lane and dunk over opponents, he could shoot from the outside with great accuracy, and he was one of the best defenders to ever play the game. Nathan Aaseng tells the story of how Michael Jordan became a living NBA legend.

     Taylor O’Brien is a basketball player with a checkered past and regrets. She’s not his type. He’s her best friend’s younger brother. When they clash over a bloody beef tenderloin, there’s more at stake than splitting the appetizer. When they go one-on-one on the basketball court Rob makes it clear to everyone that his tastes have changed—at least in women. There’s one little problem, an ex-husband who’s not what he seems, and a story that turns Rob into a bloodhound, with all clues circling back to Taylor. The more he digs, the more Rob finds that sometimes fate takes dinner and romance to a whole nother level…

    The high-tops squeak. The crowd is loud. The floorboards creak. But through it all, we catch the sound, the one that’s high above the ground, that most important noise of all: the swishing of the basketball. Doesn’t even touch the rim just whooooosh— y’hear it? YES, it’s in! This new collection of more than 30 poems by Loris Lesynski captures the joys, thrills, and challenges of one of the most popular sports in the schoolyard today. Crazy About Basketball! is full of energy and humor, and is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever played the sport. Wonderfully ridiculous artwork and catchy, rhythmic poems highlight both the silly and serious side of the sport, with emphasis on training, tactics, and teamwork, but most of all, on having fun. A perfect complement to Lesynski’s and Rasmussen’s previous collaboration, Crazy About Soccer!