- MatthewDusQues
Basketball is a very popular sport. The game is played using a ball and a hoop. By shooting the ball through a hoop, players score points.
Basketball players are some of the most talented athletes in the world. Basketball is exciting, fast-paced, and filled with scoring. Professional basketball players have written a surprising number of books for children.
Did you know that basketball players also wrote books?
The article below will provide complete information about basketball players who wrote books and best books by basketball players from Penn Book.
Basketball Players Who Wrote Books
We must look at legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul Jabar to see how big players like Lebron James and Kevin Durant have had on the game and their respective franchises. They were the catalyst for a massive rise in popularity, and, more importantly, they made the players the center of fandom, not the franchises.
Without players from previous eras, the game would not be as it is today, and current NBA stars wouldn’t have these amazing opportunities.
These are the top books that NBA players have written (with the assistance of some of the most respected sports journalists and writers) that every basketball fan should read to gain a deeper understanding of the game.
Best Selling Author Basketball Player
Numerous publications written by these luminaries below encourage us to see the world through their eyes. Let’s look at them right now.
#6 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has had a productive career with various teams since joining the NBA in 2003. He has developed into one of the league’s top scorers and is destined for the Hall of Fame.
Anthony has released a lot of books over his career. Both the books Carmelo Anthony: It’s Just the Beginning and Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised provide in-depth analyses of Melo’s formative years spent living on the streets of Baltimore. Melo’s background and the experience of winning an NCAA Championship are extensively discussed in both volumes.
#5 Bill Russell
No player in NBA history has amassed more titles than the legendary Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. Russell went on to win 11 NBA Championships as a player throughout his career. In the future, Russell also released Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend, which has grown to be one of the most well-known books on basketball.
The book thoroughly explains Russell’s time spent playing for the Boston Celtics while paying tribute to Red Auerbach, his mentor and coach. The narrative describes everything Russell went through while representing one of the greatest NBA basketball dynasties.
#4 and #3 Magic Johnson and Larry Bird
No two players have had as much of an influence on one another throughout the history of the NBA as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, according to some. Bird and Johnson’s epic rivalry during their tenure with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers caught the league by storm in a league that was at the time trying to create attention.
One of the greatest rivalries in sports was established thanks to Bird and Magic. The two co-authored the book When the Game Was Ours with renowned novelist Jackie MacMullan. It goes into great depth on the psychological struggle between two bitter rivals, which ultimately resulted in a lifetime friendship.
#2 Kobe Bryant
Basketball great Kobe Bryant, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, is regarded as one of the most aggressive competitors ever.
Bryant later released The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, which examines Kobe’s viewpoint on his life on and off the court during his career. The book goes to great length about his approach to playing the sport he loved.
#1 LeBron James
LeBron James has written multiple books on his upbringing as a basketball player during his NBA career. One of his best-selling works was the book Shooting Stars. It describes how LeBron rose to prominence as one of the most highly anticipated high school prospects during his formative years in Akron, Ohio.
LeBron just released one of his best-selling books, which quickly rose to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. I Promise a picture book that inspires youngsters to be tenacious and courteous. According to the announcement, a documentary based on the book will be made available on YouTube.
Best Books Written By Basketball Players
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| Score It Right Basketball... | 55 Reviews |
$17.50 | View on Amazon |
| 2 |
| Boost Your Basketball IQ: How... | 37 Reviews |
$14.99 | View on Amazon |
| 3 |
| Shoot Your Shot: A... | 2,303 Reviews |
$13.99
$12.94 | View on Amazon |
| 4 |
| Qilery 4 Pcs Basketball... | 4 Reviews |
$27.99 | View on Amazon |
| 5 |
| Murray Sporting Goods... | 469 Reviews |
$12.99 | View on Amazon |
| 6 |
| Basketball Scorebook for 36... | 29 Reviews |
$12.99 | View on Amazon |
| 7 |
| Murray Sporting Goods... | 3 Reviews |
$39.99 | View on Amazon |
| 8 |
| How to Be Better At Basketball... | 640 Reviews |
$12.99 | View on Amazon |
| 9 |
| Stephen Curry: The Children's... | 7,689 Reviews |
$9.13
$8.13 | View on Amazon |
| 10 |
| Markwort Mark V Basketball... | 634 Reviews |
$14.40
$12.07 | View on Amazon |
When The Game Was Ours by Larry Bird, Earvin Magic Johnson, and Jackie MacMullan
Many people attribute the NBA’s popularity to the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. With a little help from Jackie MacMullin, a long-time Boston journalist, you can learn how the rivalry ended.
Life On The Run by Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley is one of the most fascinating and influential figures in basketball history. This is mainly because of his political career after retiring as a professional basketball player.
Bradley’s 1976 book Life on the Run, which he wrote in 1976, details 20 days during one of his seasons with the New York Knicks. It offered a unique view on life in the league 40 years ago.
Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend by Bill Russell and Alan Steinberg
Bill Russell’s tenure with the Boston Celtics was one the most successful in league history. Under Russell’s leadership, the basketball team won 11 championships. Russell shares his perspective on achieving such great success and how Red and his players contributed to a winning culture within the franchise.
The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, the NBA’s most famous player, is known for his unguardable offense and uber-athleticism. But it is his extraordinary work ethic that sets him apart. Often referred to as The Black Mamba, Bryant reveals the hard work to achieve his success.
It’s all they don’t show you on the Jumbotron. Bryant’s first creative venture after retirement from playing was The Mamba Mentality.
It exposes Bryant’s seemingly excessive competitiveness and is accompanied by incredible photographs in collaboration with Andrew Bernstein.
Becoming Kareem by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not only a great player in the gym, but he’s also a passionate advocate for civil rights and a civil rights leader. He’s also a great writer. This 2017 memoir, written in a suitable format for younger readers, tells the story of his life and how it led to him becoming an outstanding man and athlete.
A View From Above by Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is a man of great size and athletic ability. A View From Above, the best selling book by an NBA player, is not due to Chamberlain’s achievements on the court but because of his lavish lifestyle.
It is a fascinating look into the life of one of the most well known players of the 1960s and 1970s. However, it is recommended that the reader exercise discretion.
The Winner Within: A Life Plan For Team Players by Pat Riley
Although Pat Riley is best known for his coaching of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, he was also an outstanding player during the early days. Riley has had an unrivaled career in the NBA, winning big at each stop of his long and successful career.
He was the Showtime Lakers’ coach, and he led the Knicks to the Finals in the ’90s. In 2006, as the coach and president of the team, he won the championship in Miami. He still holds that position today in Miami.
In his 1994 book, The Winner Within, you will learn what he believes it takes to create this winning culture both on and off the court.
Got To Give The People What They Want: True Stories And Flagrant Opinions From Center Court by Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose is a charismatic, outspoken, and entertaining personality. He started his career at the University of Michigan with the Fab Five. Rose is ESPN’s most prominent basketball commentator, hosting NBA Countdown, Get Up! and Jalen & Jacoby.
His basketball knowledge and media savvy have helped him build a successful career. Rose digs into his famed (and now infamous) archive of stories that have helped him become the superstar today.
West By West: My Charmed, Tormented Life by Jerry West and Jonathan Coleman
Jerry West’s impact on the history of the league has been immense. He’s even the logo for the NBA.
Although West is widely regarded as one the greatest guards ever to play, he has a reputation of consistently falling short against Bill Russell or the Boston Celtics. This autobiography, written by Jonathan Coleman and published in 2011, tells the story of The Logo.
Letters to a Young Athlete by Chris Bosh, Pat Riley
An NBA legend shares his incredible story. It is filled with wisdom and hard work about how he came to mastery through a lifetime of playing at the highest levels of professional sports.
Chris Bosh was an 11 time All Star, two time NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and Global Ambassador for the league. However, his playing days were cut short by a rare medical condition. He lost his extraordinary career at the last minute, not in the time he chose but in the middle of the afternoon in a doctor’s room.
Basketball’s New Wave by Brian Mahoney
From Joel Embiid of Philadelphia to Karl Anthony Towns out of Minnesota, the hottest young basketball players are already tearing it up on the court. These stars bring new life to the sport, as they have unique styles and great skills.
And that’s just the beginning.
Basketball’s New Wave offers readers a front row seat to the transition from one generation of basketball to another. It includes pages that provide information about these players and their backgrounds, and what makes them unique.
All the Colors Came Out by Kate Fagan
A Father, a Daughter, and a Lifetime of Lessons
Glennon Doyle: “This book will heal relationships and hearts…a story for the ages.”
Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times Bestseller, tells the unforgettable story of basketball and the lasting bonds that father and daughter have.
They were bonded on the court by sweaty high fives and dedication to the New York Knicks. As Kate grew older, her love for the sport and her relationship with her father became more complicated. The once inseparable couple fell apart.
The Victory Machine by Ethan Sherwood Strauss
The Making and Unmaking of the Warriors Dynasty
How money, greed, and guts built the Warriors dynasty, then tore it apart. The Golden State Warriors dominated basketball for more than a decade. They have won more championships than any other team and have sold more merchandise since Joe Lacob’s arrival.
They also opened a new stadium in 2019. But all of this success came with some seeds of decline. Ethan Sherwood Strauss’s revealing exposes the team’s culture and financial ambitions, as well as the cost that its managers and players have paid for all of their success.
Larry Miller Time by Stephen Demorest, Larry Miller
LARRY MILLER was the tough as nails, hard working, and fun loving working class bad boy who saved the job of Dean Smith in 1960s North Carolina by winning two ACC titles and a trip at the National Championship game.
Miller, a two time All American, is still the Tar Heel named ACC Player Of The Year twice. Miller was also the first heartthrob in the modern ACC. He then became the Joe Namath of the ABA, setting the all time single game scoring record for the pro league. He vanished.
Dr. J: The Autobiography by Julius Erving and Karl Taro Greenfeld
Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J, was one of basketball’s most dynamic players. His mind blowing dunks of the ’70s & ’80s electrified crowds. But his private life was just as hectic as his professional play. The Autobiography of Dr. J, Karl Taro Greenfeld’s man behind the legend, features him.
We the North by Doug Smith, Vince Carter
The 25th anniversary celebration of Canada’s most popular team, the Toronto Raptors, was quite a change. Michael Jordan was making a mess of the NBA. The email was not available to everyone. Many people were skeptical that anyone could play basketball in Toronto, where the most hockey was played. Twenty five years later, the Raptors are the heroes of the 416 and the country.
Three-Ring Circus by Jeff Pearlman
This is the story of the Lakers Dynasty, 1996-2004, when Shaquille and Kobe Bryant combined forces to bring the Lakers three consecutive championships and restore the franchise’s powerhouse status. In modern sports history, there has never been a pair of high level teammates that loathed one another as much as Shaquille and Kobe Bryant loathed Shaquille.
It was warfare, from public sniping and sparring to physical altercations and the repeated threats and trade threats.
Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid by Willie Mays, John Shea, Bob Costas
The INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER and SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE SELLER The legendary Willie Mays discusses the influences and inspirations that shaped his career.
This reflective and inspiring memoir is a reflection and an inspirational one. This warmhearted book will reward and inform you, even if you think you have read everything there is to know about Willie Mays.
Willie Mays is a baseball legend. Say hello! Continue reading and have fun. Bob Costas’ Foreword: “It was because of giants such as Willie that I could even consider running for president.”
Ball Don’t Lie by Kevin Cottrell, Candace Parker
Ball Don’t Lie is a series of intimate, face to face conversations that examine various the most important moments in basketball. Kevin Cottrell Jr. is a long time NBA practitioner.
He meets with some of the most important figures in the game, including Shaquille O’Neal, Isiah Tom, Grant Hill, Tina Thompson, and Grant Hill.
Vince Carter, Steve Smith, and Richard Hamilton are joined by Chris Webber, Chris Webber, and Chris Webber.
Three point legend Dennis Scott and former NBA Coaches of the Year Sam Mitchell round out the list. Many sports fans will recall where they were at each point, what happened and how it ended.
Portland Trail Blazers All-Time Greats by Brendan Flynn
The first time the Portland Trail Blazers made it to the playoffs, they won the NBA title. They have been a constant force in the Pacific Northwest since then. Learn about the Trail Blazers’ history, from the pioneers in the 1970s to today’s global superstars.
Kyrie Irving by Martin Gitlin
Uncle Drew, Little Mountain, and Enigmatic NBA Superstar
Kyrie Irving is perhaps the most exciting and mysterious NBA player of today. Martin Gitlin’s biography focuses on Irving’s brilliant court play as a one on one player. It also examines his father’s influence, the death of his mother, and his growth as an athlete in high school and college. Kyrie Irving
Net Work by Rob McClanaghan, Stephen Curry
The NBA’s Top Trainers and the Keys to Greatness
Rob McClanaghan is the NBA’s most sought after trainer. He shares behind the scenes insight into how NBA superstars such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook work to achieve their goals. All of them agreed that he needed to get stronger.
He did just that. Rob spent months trading fraternity parties with friends, spending hours at the gym lifting weights, shooting baskets, and spending time with them. He was single minded. The only thing that mattered was to defy the odds.
FAQs
What athletes have written books?
Professional athletes have written a surprising number of children’s literature. Alex Morgan, Carmelo Anthony, and Terrell Owens have all written books for children.
Which football player wrote a book?
Timothy John Green was born on December 16, 1963. He is a former professional American football player, radio and television personality, and best selling author.
What basketball player has a best selling book?
Kobe Bryant is the author of the bestselling book (among other athletes).
Which NFL player wrote a children’s book?
Marcus Smith stated that he draws his parenting inspiration from Kobe Bryant, a proud ‘girl father’. Marcus Smith II, a former NFL player, is releasing Bathtime with Rai, a children’s book that he hopes will appeal to modern Black dads worldwide.
Conclusion
The basketball players who wrote books are some of the world’s most intelligent and well-spoken athletes. They have a lot to say about their sport, lives, and the world around them. These books are a great way to get to know these athletes on a more personal level. Thank you for reading!
Read more:
- Top 37 Best Sports Books Of All Time Review 2024
- Best Young Adult Books Of All Time 2024: Top Pick
- Top 39 Best Baseball Books of All Time Review 2024
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
