Books always give us many lessons and knowledge for life, no matter what the genre or topic. If we talk about basketball, then there are a number of books written on it, like Basketball coaching, playing, general life, and many more. Whether you are a bibliophile or a basketball fan, the list of basketball books we have made here is perfect for you to read.
Here is the list of 10 books on basketball
The Jordan Rules
Michael Jordan is regarded as the best basketball player of all time. He has a fan following all around the world. His book, The Jordan Rules, will give a deep look inside him and some of the areas he tackled off the court in his first championship season with the Chicago Bulls. The book gives a better view of who Michael Jordan is and tells us about the various things that made him an iconic sports star of all time.
The Assist: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their Lives
This book is written by Neil Swidey, and it revolves around a high school basketball team in the Boston area that competes for a state championship every year, dealing with race, social class, and other factors that depend on whether you live in the inner city. This book will give you a deep look into what makes sports so amazing and what obstacles players have to overcome to make a name for themselves.
Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich
The book is written by Mark Kriegel and is about Pistol Pete, who was one of the most accomplished players in the history of basketball. However, this book is about much more than his basketball achievements. The author has written about what Pistol Pete had to go through to achieve all of his success in the sport. The book also depicts what Pistol and his family suffered along the way to his career and success. His story is an interesting one that any basketball enthusiast would love reading.
Toughness: Developing true strength on and off the court
The author of this book is Jay Bilas, who is known as the most outspoken college basketball commentator. He always gives good insights about the game of college basketball. Before becoming a basketball analyst, he himself was a brilliant college basketball player and played under Coach Kay at Duke. Jay was also a part of two national championship teams. His book Toughness speaks about the mental toughness it takes on and off the court to be a successful player, not only in basketball but in life.
Life Is Not An accident
The book is written by Jay Williams, a former basketball player who is currently an analyst. During his college days, Williams played basketball for the Duke Blue Devils Men’s team, and during his professional career, he played for the Chicago Bulls. His book, Life Is Not An Accident, talks about his life after a motorcycle accident and how he rediscovered himself. Through this book, Williams shows that there’s more to life than just basketball.
Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success
This is written by Hugh Delehanty and Phil Jackson. It is a great book for all basketball coaches. Phil Jackson was successful in winning 11 NBA championships, so it is worth reading a book written by him when it comes to basketball. The book Eleven Rings covers Phil’s abilities as a successful head coach in the NBA for a long time. He has shared some amazing stories from his time with many of the greatest basketball teams ever made, including the Bulls and Lakers. Along with the best teams of all time, he has also coached legends like Jordan, Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and Scottie Pippen. His insight should not be missed, and you should definitely read this book.
When the Game Was Ours
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson shared one of the biggest and greatest rivalries in sports. Apart from being rivals, they both shared a very good friendship. Whenever there was a match between the Gladiators and Coliseum, the competitiveness and desire to win both players was reminiscent of a time. Their bittersweet rivalry eventually turned into a lifelong friendship. This book covers the rivalry period of both players and also their perspectives. There is also a documentary named Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, which has interviews with both of them.
Fab Five
This book is written by Mitch Albom and covers one of the greatest college basketball stories, in which five freshmen lead their team to the national championship game. The book tells about everything that the Fab Five saw during their struggle and also the allegations of recruitment tampering, which makes the book more interesting. You will get to know the full story of Michigan’s Fab Five through this book.
Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant
The book was written by Roland Lazenby. The late Kobe Bryant was a legendary player in basketball and one of the most charming sports personalities of his generation. He had great success on the court, but there were some issues outside the court. During his career, Kobe saw many things. If you are his diehard fan, then you should definitely read this biography, as it covers everything about his life.
Stuff Basketball Players Should Know
This book is essential for any player who is dedicated to the sport and wants to be successful. This book has various concepts that basketball players need to know. “Stuff Basketball Players Should Know” makes it easy to understand and apply to all different levels of players. If you are a basketball player, then this book is a must-read for you. If you even have someone in your life who is a basketball player, then it is one of those books which will be a great gift for them.
Also Read:- Beyond the Court: Must watch documentaries on Basketball
