Describes the history of African Americans in professional basketball, from the traveling teams in the first half of the twentieth century to the stars of the 1960s.

Inspired by true events, witness the extraordinary journey of Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, who made history as the first Black player to sign an NBA contract. At a time when segregation divided sports, New York Knicks coach Joe Lapchick and team executive Ned Irish see the future of basketball in Sweetwater's dazzling and unorthodox displays of entertaining athleticism. Together, they challenge convention and break through barriers that would change...

"Elgin Baylor's memoir of an epic all-star career in the NBA--during which he transformed basketball from a horizontal game to a vertical one--and his fights against racism during his career as a player and as general manager of the LA Clippers under the infamous Donald Sterling. People think of Elgin Baylor as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game--and one of the NBA's first black superstars--but the full extent of his...

"The inside look at one of the most captivating and consequential figures in our culture with never-before-seen material. Kobe Bryant's death in January 2020 did more than rattle the worlds of sports and celebrity. The tragedy of that helicopter crash unveiled the full breadth and depth of his influence on our culture, and by tracing and telling the oft-forgotten and lesser-known story of his early life, The Rise promises to provide an insight into...

Presents a definitive biography of one of the greatest athletes of all time that chronicles not only LeBron James' meteoric rise to fame but also his solid family, political activism, and business empire. The reigning king of the game and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, LeBron James's ascent has been anything but effortless and predetermined. He won his destiny despite overwhelmingly long odds; his mother placed him with a family...

"Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson was once one of America's most famous athletes: a trendsetter who transcended race, celebrity, and pop culture, and emerged from a troubled past to become one of the most successful and highly compensated athletes in the world. Now, his life and career comes vividly to light in this hard-hitting biography that examines what drove his successes and failures. Through extensive research and interviews with those closest...

A biography of basketball player LeBron James, highlighting his charitable work.

"From iconic NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony comes a raw and inspirational memoir about growing up in the housing projects of Red Hook and Baltimore--a brutal world Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised"-- Living in a first-floor project apartment in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Anthony couldn't dream any bigger than emulating his older brothers and cousins-- much less going on to become a basketball champion on the world stage. He navigated an education system that...

A unique, unfiltered memoir from the NBA champion and fifteen-time all-star looks back on his life and career, including his decision to enter the NBA draft directly out of high school, and shares his thoughts on fame, family, racism, and spirituality.