. . . One day I picked up a basketball, and it never let me go."For fifty seasons Lute Olson has been teaching young athletes the skills of basketball---and life. Starting as a high school coach, he worked his way to the top of the basketball world, winning more than a thousand games, a national championship, and a world championship, producing some of the NBA's biggest stars, and eventually being enshrined in the basketball Hall of Fame.This is the story of his upbringing in Mayville, North Dakota, where he learned his famous work ethic and survival skills; the telling of the eighteen years it took to finally coach for a major college team; the fond memories of coaching famed players as well as the stories of bitter losses and breathtaking wins. This is his story, from recruiting in the dangerous projects of big cities and the vast farmlands of the Midwest, to finally winning an NCAA championship. It's the inside-the-locker-room story of many extraordinary emotional moments that will live forever in basketball lore. "Lute! Lute! Lute!" The cheer by which the Arizona fans greet their coach before each game is the story of a man with a lifelong passion for a game. This book will take the reader inside the incredibly popular world of collegiate basketball, as seen through the eyes of a giant of the sport.But his is far more than a basketball story. Lute's partner for forty-seven years in building championship programs was his high school sweetheart, Bobbi, whose blueberry pancakes became as widely known in the basketball world as his own full head of white hair. While Lute was the taciturn coach, she became the player's mother-away-from-home. America got to meet her as she fought her way courtside through cheering fans after Lute's Arizona team had earned a trip to the Final Four, and on national television he swept her off her feet and the two of them whirled round and round in joy. It is a love story of a couple who together built a sports legend. Lute and Bobbi Olson were a team. The Arizona community loved her almost as much as he did---traditionally at the beginning of each game the Wildcat band greeted them with a cheer. Their almost half-century love affair ended with Bobbi's death from cancer. Lute explores how he dealt with her death, and how he moved forward to find a new love.This is the chronicle of one American boy's dream to become a great basketball coach---his achievements, his coaching strategies, and the wins and losses he faced as boy, man, and coach, but always with one constant in his life: the game of basketball. This is the story of fifty seasons in the life of Lute Olson.

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    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.

    Well – sort of close. He ended up in the minor leagues of professional basketball instead, in the storied and now defunct CBA, a league that has turned out a record-setting number of NBA players and coaches, such as Phil Jackson and George Karl. It wasn’t glamorous, in fact the playing conditions in the CBA were pretty grim; near-empty arenas, interminable bus rides to nowheresville, oddball coaches, little loyalty from management, meager pay, these were a few realities of CBA life. And yet, even as it chipped away at your dignity and made little economic sense to remain, the CBA drew you in with the allure of action and the prospect of an NBA call-up. And it could inspire, like when you and your teammates caught a rhythm that made you remember why basketball is such a beautiful game, or when you saw guys continue to strive, to persevere, even if their dreams weren't fully realized.Carson writes honestly, hilariously and often touchingly of his running and gunning days as a CBA also-ran, with flash backs to his college days where the future seemed brighter than a new pair of Nikes. A top recruit with superior ballhanding and shooting skills along with a sixth basketball sense, in 1997 Carson was a Sporting News All-American freshman who broke Gary Payton's freshman scoring record and a few years later helped his team at Purdue get within a game of the Final Four.

    I was in love. School was going great. I managed to hide the pain, to push it down, but it all came flooding back. The grief was almost blinding, but I saw Eli’s broken heart with perfect clarity the day I drove away from him. This was my year to be selfish. Falling in love with my best friend's brother wasn't part of my plan, but sometimes the best things in life are unpredictable. And the end of Eli’s senior year was anything but expected. EliMy priorities completely flipped when my brother's best friend moved to town. Everything I never knew I needed came in the form of a redhead from California with a heart too big for her own good.But Logan drove away from me, leaving me broken-hearted and alone.With my senior season winding down, it's my last chance to get called up to the NHL, and my dreams are within reach— it's everything I always wanted. But that was before I met her. How much do I need to sacrifice to prove to her that she's my dream too?If she asked me to, I'd selflessly give it all up for her.

    Dan Forrester and Violet Jones are the perfect couple. His devotion to the charismatic, beautiful firecracker has been the envy of their friends since high school. Until the day she throws his love in his face and walks away from them. Watching her change into someone she’s not is the most challenging thing he’s ever done. Loving Dan is impossible until Violet learns who she is. Violet’s concept of true love is shattered when her parents announce their divorce. Doubt taints everything she thought to be true. Fear becomes the reason for every decision she makes. Determined to find out who she really is, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Loving someone often means giving her the time and space she needs. As Dan and Violet smolder in a failed relationship, life takes them in opposite directions. But will love ignite the ashes and bring them back to where they belong?

    As if it isn’t hard enough trying to finish college.Now I have my tormentor offering to help me complete my goals.Including losing my V-card.Talk about embarrassing.All he asks in return is that I tutor him so he can keep playing hockey.Easy enough.I can keep feelings out this deal.After all, I hate the pompous jerk…Or, at least, I did...Until one kiss leads to the most incredible night of my life.Now I’m torn between my present and my future.The man who once brought out my ire now owns my heart.But will our hopes and dreams pull us down different paths?Or can this summer fling become something more?

    This is not a book of swing techniques. There are plenty of other resources that teach you how to swing, chip and putt. What this book does provide is a true framework for breaking 80 based on sound principles that will work for any golfer of any level. Provided you faithfully follow and apply these principles, you will begin to improve surely and steadily, to the point where you will eventually gain the ability to break 80, not just as a one-time fluke, but over and over again as a reflection of your true new-found ability. Whether you're struggling to break 100, 90, 80 or even a complete beginner, the Little Book of Breaking 80 will help take your game to the next level!

    To make matters worse, Joey finds himself caught in the middle of a career threatening scandal. Can Charlotte help Joey get out of this disaster before it's too late?Find out in part four of Craving Her Curves!

    The Pounding Hearts Series is full of badass MMA fighters who will beat the crap out of anyone who tries to mess with their girls. Four full-length, standalone books, each features a dominant alpha hero and a young heroine trying to make her way in the world. Book One - Banging Reaper Two men. Only one can be the best in the ring. Only one can make her completely his. Yeah, they call me Reaper, because I make anyone who fights me wish he was dead. I'm large and in charge with a big house, two cars, and enough money to party for the rest of my days. Life is great—but meeting Avery changes everything. She's nothing like the ring girls I usually hook up with. There’s just something about her that brings out the protective beast inside me. She needs to be mine, but that cheating asshole Ethan is in the way. I'll do whatever it takes to claim her ... even if that means destroying her best friend. Book Two – Slamming Demon Second chances don't come easy. Sometimes, you have to fight like hell for what you want. I'm a demon in the ring ... but Mandy still owns my heart. That doesn't mean I'm ready to pick up where we left off, though. I don't know if I forgive her, but I'm not letting anyone else near her. She's mine to protect whether she knows it or not... Book Three – Bucking Bear Sometimes, the biggest fights of your life are the ones outside the ring. I’ve never known a woman like Grace before. As soon as I met her, I wanted to claim her, make her mine, and protect her from everything. And her little girl already feels like my own daughter. So if her jerk of an ex tries to mess with Grace -- or Hope -- he’s going to find out a grizzly would be easier to fight than me. No one hurts my girls. Book Four – Breaking Beast He’s determined to protect her, even if it breaks him. Life’s been pretty damn good to me. As the reigning middleweight champion, I’ve got money, power, and fame. Not to mention a surplus of women willing to jump into my bed. All in all, I’ve got few complaints. I’m just living the dream… then Christy falls into my lap. She’s young, vulnerable, and innocent. And she has enough on her that plate that she doesn’t need any grief from an old bastard like me. But she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I can’t stop myself from wanting her, even though there’s more than a decade between us. I’m trying hard to keep my hands to myself, but she’s proving to be a temptation too great to resist…

    

    The holder of many records, ‘Baz’ is known for speaking his mind. He talks about growing up loving sport more than anything, getting better and better at cricket (although he was a good enough rugby player to keep Dan Carter out of the South Island Schoolboy rugby team) and his uncertain transition to international cricketer. In this explosive autobiography he opens up on the many controversies he has been involved in, including the Chris Cairns affair and the leadership change from Ross Taylor. He exposes behind-the scenes machinations as well as the private moments of exultation, tumult and despair. One of New Zealand’s and the worlds most admired cricketers, he is credited with changing the face of the game internationally.

    while re-inspiring yourself!" - Rick "Shaq" Goldstein, author of 669 reviews for Amazon "Novosel's autobiographical narrative of self-determination inspires and delights, in large part because it isn't a lofty tale of grandiose achievement but a humble one; he merely wants, and earns, a chance to show what he's got." - Publisher's Weekly Based on actual events, FIELDHOUSE is a story of embracing adversity through challenges, teamwork, perseverance, grit, determination, and a positive attitude! Fieldhouse follows Scotty Novosel on his journey to play basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. What he lacks in size he makes up for in heart, but countless obstacles and a devastating setback push his dream further and further out of reach... With incredible persistence, positive energy, and help from a cast of endearing characters, Scotty discovers just what it takes to transform vision into reality! In March 1995, Scott Novosel started for the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 8 Championship game. For the next 20 years, through endless determination and a mantra of never giving up, Scott completed the all ages graphic novel FIELDHOUSE with the help of the Eisner Award nominated artist Sam Sharpe. Together the duo produced an instant classic! The story of the making of the book was featured on Sports Illustrated. Find out why parents, teachers, librarians, parents, and grandparents are declaring FIELDHOUSE a "MUST READ!"

    The story of Duke University's 2000-2001 championship basketball season is one of a young inexperienced team, insurmountable odds, and the visionary coach that brought them to victory.