Advertisement
Books and Basketball AAU: Fueling Success On and Off the Court
Introduction:
Ever wonder how the grit and determination needed to excel in AAU basketball translate to other areas of life? Or perhaps you're curious about how reading can enhance a young athlete's performance on the court? This post delves into the fascinating intersection of books and AAU basketball, exploring how literature can foster crucial life skills, improve academic performance, and even contribute to a player's on-court success. We'll examine specific book genres that resonate with young athletes, discuss practical strategies for integrating reading into a demanding basketball schedule, and ultimately, demonstrate how a love for books can empower AAU players to reach their full potential, both athletically and academically. Get ready to discover the powerful synergy between the hardwood and the printed page.
1. The Power of Reading: Developing Essential Life Skills for AAU Athletes
AAU basketball demands more than just athletic ability; it requires discipline, teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Surprisingly, these qualities can be significantly cultivated through reading. Biographies of successful athletes, for example, offer valuable lessons in perseverance and overcoming adversity. Michael Jordan's autobiography, "Driven from Within," is a prime example, detailing his unwavering commitment and relentless work ethic. Similarly, novels focusing on teamwork and collaboration, such as "The Lord of the Rings," can teach valuable lessons about trust, communication, and achieving a shared goal. Exposure to diverse characters and narratives broadens perspectives and cultivates empathy, essential skills for navigating the complex dynamics of a team environment. Furthermore, reading strengthens critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—all crucial for on and off-court success.
2. Boosting Academic Performance: Balancing Books and Basketball
The relentless demands of AAU basketball often leave little time for academics. However, a strategic approach to reading can actually enhance academic performance. Reading improves comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills – all essential for excelling in school. Even short bursts of reading, such as during travel time to tournaments or before bedtime, can significantly contribute to vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills. Moreover, books can inspire a deeper interest in various subjects, making learning more engaging and less of a chore. For instance, a young athlete passionate about science fiction might find themselves more engaged in science classes after reading books like "Dune" or "Ender's Game." By fostering a love of learning, books can help AAU players maintain a strong academic foundation alongside their athletic pursuits.
3. Enhancing On-Court Performance: The Unexpected Benefits of Reading
While it may seem counterintuitive, reading can indirectly improve on-court performance. By enhancing focus, concentration, and mental agility, reading contributes to improved decision-making on the court. Reading complex narratives requires sustained attention and mental engagement, skills that translate directly to the strategic thinking needed in AAU basketball. The ability to anticipate opponents' moves, strategize plays, and react quickly under pressure all benefit from sharpened mental acuity cultivated through reading. Furthermore, stress management, often a crucial factor in high-stakes games, can be improved through relaxation techniques often associated with reading.
4. Creating a Reading Routine: Strategies for Busy AAU Athletes
Integrating reading into a demanding AAU basketball schedule requires a strategic approach. Setting realistic goals, such as reading for 15-30 minutes each day, is more effective than aiming for unattainable targets. Utilizing downtime, such as travel time on buses or during waiting periods, provides opportunities for reading without sacrificing training time. Audiobooks are another excellent option, allowing athletes to "read" while traveling or engaging in other activities. Finally, building reading into a pre-game routine, as a form of mental preparation, can help athletes focus and reduce pre-game anxiety. The key is finding a reading routine that integrates seamlessly with the athlete's existing schedule and lifestyle.
5. Recommended Reading List: Books for AAU Basketball Players
This list provides a starting point for AAU basketball players interested in exploring different genres and authors:
Biographies: "Driven from Within" by Michael Jordan, "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight
Leadership & Teamwork: "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey, "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni
Motivational & Inspirational: "Mindset" by Carol S. Dweck, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek
Fiction with Relevant Themes: "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton (dealing with loyalty and teamwork), "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (exploring themes of justice and empathy).
Book Recommendation: "The Champion's Mind" by Jim Afremow
Introduction: Explores the mental game of high-performance athletes.
Main Chapters: Focuses on mental toughness, visualization, goal setting, and overcoming setbacks. Provides practical strategies and exercises athletes can use to improve their mental performance.
Conclusion: Reinforces the importance of mental training for achieving peak performance in sports.
Article Explaining Each Point of the Book Outline:
The book "The Champion's Mind" is structured around helping athletes cultivate a winning mindset. The introduction sets the stage, explaining the crucial role mental fortitude plays in athletic success. The main chapters delve into specific mental strategies. Each chapter would unpack a specific technique—like visualization, explaining how athletes can use this technique to improve performance by mentally rehearsing successful scenarios. Another chapter might focus on goal setting, providing a step-by-step guide to setting SMART goals and creating an action plan to achieve them. Another chapter might tackle overcoming setbacks, providing practical advice on how athletes can cope with failures and use them as learning opportunities. The conclusion reiterates the importance of consistent mental training, emphasizing that it's an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.
FAQs:
1. Can reading really improve my basketball skills? Indirectly, yes. Reading strengthens mental acuity, focus, and decision-making skills, all beneficial on the court.
2. How much time should I dedicate to reading? Start with 15-30 minutes daily; consistency is key.
3. What types of books are best for AAU athletes? Biographies, leadership books, and motivational literature are great choices.
4. What if I don't enjoy reading? Try audiobooks or start with shorter books on topics that interest you.
5. Can reading help me manage stress before games? Yes, reading can be a relaxing activity that helps reduce pre-game anxiety.
6. How can I fit reading into my busy schedule? Utilize travel time, downtime between practices, or even before bed.
7. Are there specific books that focus on teamwork in sports? Many novels and leadership books explore teamwork dynamics in compelling ways.
8. Will reading help me improve my academic grades? Absolutely; reading strengthens comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.
9. Where can I find age-appropriate books for young AAU athletes? Your local library or bookstore can offer excellent recommendations.
Related Articles:
1. The Mental Game in AAU Basketball: Mastering Your Mindset: Explores the importance of mental training for young athletes.
2. Building a Winning Team: Communication and Collaboration in AAU Basketball: Focuses on teamwork and communication skills crucial for success.
3. Nutrition and Hydration for AAU Basketball Players: Discusses the importance of proper nutrition and hydration for optimal athletic performance.
4. Injury Prevention Strategies for Young AAU Basketball Players: Provides tips on injury prevention and recovery.
5. The Role of Coaching in AAU Basketball Success: Examines the impact of effective coaching on young players.
6. Balancing Academics and Athletics: Tips for Student Athletes: Offers strategies for managing academics alongside athletic commitments.
7. The Benefits of Strength and Conditioning Training for AAU Basketball: Discusses the importance of strength training for injury prevention and performance enhancement.
8. Recruiting and College Scholarships for AAU Basketball Players: Provides guidance on the college recruitment process for aspiring basketball players.
9. Developing Leadership Skills in Young AAU Basketball Players: Focuses on leadership development and its importance in team dynamics.
| books and basketball aau: Brothers on Three Abe Streep, 2021-09-07 **Winner of the 2021 Montana Book Award** **Winner of the 2021 New Mexico-Arizona General Nonfiction Book Award** **Finalist for the Spur Award for Best Contemporary Nonfiction** **A New York Times Editors' Choice Pick** A heart-stomping, heart-stopping read. Unsentimental. Unforgettable. Astonishing. Brothers on Three captures the roar of a community spirit powered by blood history, loyalty, and ferocious love. —Debra Magpie Earling, author of Perma Red From journalist Abe Streep, a story of coming-of-age on a reservation in the American West and a team uniting a community March 11, 2017, was a night to remember: in front of the hopeful eyes of thousands of friends, family members, and fans, the Arlee Warriors would finally bring the high school basketball state championship title home to the Flathead Indian Reservation. The game would become the stuff of legend, with the boys revered as local heroes. The team’s place in Montana history was now cemented, but for starters Will Mesteth, Jr. and Phillip Malatare, life would keep moving on—senior year was just beginning. In Brothers on Three, we follow Phil and Will, along with their teammates, coaches, and families, as they balance the pressures of adolescence, shoulder the dreams of their community, and chart their own individual courses for the future. Brothers on Three is not simply a story about high school basketball, state championships, and a winning team. It is a book about community, and it is about boys on the cusp of adulthood finding their way through the intersecting worlds they inhabit and forging their own paths to personhood. |
| books and basketball aau: Stuff Good Players Should Know Dick DeVenzio, 2006 STUFF Good Players Should Know may very well be the best book ever written for basketball players. It is conversational and easy to understand, yet filled with subtle insights into the game of basketball. STUFF is page after page of creative concepts, common sense, and special tips that can not be found anywhere else. ? How do you guard a stronger player? ? How do you set up a game-winning steal? ? How do you ?strip? a rebound? ? How do you score with a strong-handed dribble while going to the weak side? ? How do you practice shooting for maximum game effectiveness? ? How do you recognize defensive changes? STUFF is like having a coach right beside you, in your room, discussing the fine points of the games. How do you think in the minutes of the game? How do you react to mistakes? What is your attitude about fouls? Eating? Superstitions? Injuries? All this and more makes STUFF a book that players will find indispensable. Basketball fans will enjoy it, but players won't do |
| books and basketball aau: In These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle Madeleine Blais, 2017-07-11 “Beautifully written . . . A celebration of girls and athletics.” The national bestselling sports classic from a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist (USA Today). Expanded and updated with a new epilogue, Madeleine Blais’ book tells the story of a season in the life of the Amherst Lady Hurricanes, a girls’ high school basketball team from the Western Massachusetts college town. The Hurricanes were a talented team with a near-perfect record, but for five straight years, when it came to the crunch of the playoffs, they somehow lacked the desire to go all the way. Now, led by senior guards Jen Pariseau, a three-point specialist, and Jamila Wideman, an All-American phenom, this was the year to prove themselves. It was a season to test their passion for the sport and their loyalty to each other, and a chance to discover who they really were. As an off-season of summer jobs and basketball camps turns to fall, as students arrive and the games begin, Blais charts the ups and downs of the team and paints a portrait of the wider Amherst community, which comes to revel in the athletic exploits of their girls. Finally, a women’s team was getting the attention they deserve. And the Hurricanes were richly deserving; these teenage girls are fierce and funny, smart and ambitious, and they are the heart of this gripping book. “Extraordinary.” —The Baltimore Sun “A picture of a changing period in American sports history, when a town rallied around its female athletes in a way that had previously been reserved for males.” —Publishers Weekly |
| books and basketball aau: Just for Fun: the Story of Aau Women's Basketball (c) Robert W. Ikard, 2005 In the decades before the 1972 passage of Title IX, premier women's basketball was played by the teams in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) ... [this book] is the history of these all-but-forgotten players and coaches who, while playing for an exuberant love of the game, laid the groundwork for modern women's basketball.--Back cover. |
| books and basketball aau: The Book of Basketball Bill Simmons, 2010-12-07 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The NBA according to The Sports Guy—now updated with fresh takes on LeBron, the Celtics, and more! Foreword by Malcom Gladwell • “The work of a true fan . . . it might just represent the next phase of sports commentary.”—The Atlantic Bill Simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining basketball addict known to millions as ESPN’s The Sports Guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA. From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball. Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler. |
| books and basketball aau: Play Their Hearts Out George Dohrmann, 2012-02-07 “A tour de force of reporting” (The Washington Post) from a Pulitzer–prize winning journalist that examines the often-corrupt machine producing America’s basketball stars “Indispensable.”—The Wall Street Journal “Often heart-breaking, always riveting.”—The New York Times Book Review “Tremendous.”—The Plain Dealer Winner of the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting• Winner of the Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Youth Sports Using eight years of unfettered access and a keen sense of a story’s deepest truths, journalist George Dohrmann reveals a cutthroat world where boys as young as eight or nine are subjected to a dizzying torrent of scrutiny and exploitation. At the book’s heart are the personal stories of two compelling figures: Joe Keller, an ambitious coach with a master plan to find and promote “the next LeBron,” and Demetrius Walker, a fatherless latchkey kid who falls under Keller’s sway and struggles to live up to unrealistic expectations. Complete with a new “where-are-they-now” epilogue by the author, Play Their Hearts Out is a thoroughly compelling narrative exposing the gritty reality that lies beneath so many dreams of fame and glory. One of GQ’S 50 Best Books of Literary Journalism of the 21st Century • One of the Best Books of the Year: Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Kirkus Reviews This edition includes an exclusive conversation between George Dohrmann and bestselling author Seth Davis. |
| books and basketball aau: Playing Time Kevin McNutt, 2015-08 Investigates the abuse of black basketball players by coaches, the AAU, sports companies, and even parents Playing Time first looks at black youths love for basketball their passion is innocent and naive. The author describes all the people and companies that view black ballplayers as another meal ticket, and unfortunately, some parents are also contributors to this abuse. There are a large number of coaches at every grade level including colleges that take advantage of black ballplayers, and the AAU and sports companies are the worst. This book will empower the reader to protect black ballplayers. |
| books and basketball aau: Games of Deception Andrew Maraniss, 2021-03-02 *Rivaling the nonfiction works of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat....Even readers who don't appreciate sports will find this story a page-turner. --School Library Connection, starred review *A must for all library collections. --Booklist, starred review Winner of the 2020 AJL Sydney Taylor Honor! From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the remarkable true story of the birth of Olympic basketball at the 1936 Summer Games in Hitler's Germany. Perfect for fans of The Boys in the Boat and Unbroken. On a scorching hot day in July 1936, thousands of people cheered as the U.S. Olympic teams boarded the S.S. Manhattan, bound for Berlin. Among the athletes were the 14 players representing the first-ever U.S. Olympic basketball team. As thousands of supporters waved American flags on the docks, it was easy to miss the one courageous man holding a BOYCOTT NAZI GERMANY sign. But it was too late for a boycott now; the ship had already left the harbor. 1936 was a turbulent time in world history. Adolf Hitler had gained power in Germany three years earlier. Jewish people and political opponents of the Nazis were the targets of vicious mistreatment, yet were unaware of the horrors that awaited them in the coming years. But the Olympians on board the S.S. Manhattan and other international visitors wouldn't see any signs of trouble in Berlin. Streets were swept, storefronts were painted, and every German citizen greeted them with a smile. Like a movie set, it was all just a facade, meant to distract from the terrible things happening behind the scenes. This is the incredible true story of basketball, from its invention by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, to the sport's Olympic debut in Berlin and the eclectic mix of people, events and propaganda on both sides of the Atlantic that made it all possible. Includes photos throughout, a Who's-Who of the 1936 Olympics, bibliography, and index. Praise for Games of Deception: A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book! A 2020 CBC Notable Social Studies Book! Maraniss does a great job of blending basketball action with the horror of Hitler's Berlin to bring this fascinating, frightening, you-can't-make-this-stuff-up moment in history to life. -Steve Sheinkin, New York Times bestselling author of Bomb and Undefeated I was blown away by Games of Deception....It's a fascinating, fast-paced, well-reasoned, and well-written account of the hidden-in-plain-sight horrors and atrocities that underpinned sports, politics, and propaganda in the United States and Germany. This is an important read. -Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor winning author of Hitler Youth A richly reported and stylishly told reminder how, when you scratch at a sports story, the real world often lurks just beneath. --Alexander Wolff, New York Times bestselling author of The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama An insightful, gripping account of basketball and bias. --Kirkus Reviews An exciting and overlooked slice of history. --School Library Journal |
| books and basketball aau: The City Game Matthew Goodman, 2021-03-02 The powerful story of a college basketball team who carried an era’s brightest hopes—racial harmony, social mobility, and the triumph of the underdog—but whose success was soon followed by a shocking downfall “A masterpiece of American storytelling.”—Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Devil in the Grove NAMED ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW The unlikeliest of champions, the 1949–50 City College Beavers were extraordinary by every measure. New York’s City College was a tuition-free, merit-based college in Harlem known far more for its intellectual achievements and political radicalism than its athletic prowess. Only two years after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier—and at a time when the National Basketball Association was still segregated—every single member of the Beavers was either Jewish or African American. But during that remarkable season, under the guidance of the legendary former player Nat Holman, this unheralded group of city kids would stun the basketball world by becoming the only team in history to win the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year. This team, though, proved to be extraordinary in another way: During the following season, all of the team’s starting five were arrested by New York City detectives, charged with conspiring with gamblers to shave points. Almost overnight these beloved heroes turned into fallen idols. The story centers on two teammates and close friends, Eddie Roman and Floyd Layne, one white, one black, each caught up in the scandal, each searching for a path to personal redemption. Though banned from the NBA, Layne continued to devote himself to basketball, teaching the game to young people in his Bronx neighborhood and, ultimately, with Roman’s help, finding another kind of triumph—one that no one could have anticipated. Drawing on interviews with the surviving members of that championship team, Matthew Goodman has created an indelible portrait of an era of smoke-filled arenas and Borscht Belt hotels, when college basketball was far more popular than the professional game. It was a time when gangsters controlled illegal sports betting, the police were on their payroll, and everyone, it seemed, was getting rich—except for the young men who actually played the games. Tautly paced and rich with period detail, The City Game tells a story both dramatic and poignant: of political corruption, duplicity in big-time college sports, and the deeper meaning of athletic success. |
| books and basketball aau: Basirah the Basketballer Says Insha'Allah Hafsah Dabiri, 2019 Basirah loves basketball. Her heart is set on becoming the captain of her basketball team! Will saying Insha'Allah make her dreams come true?-- |
| books and basketball aau: Dream Team Jack McCallum, 2012-07-10 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Acclaimed sports journalist Jack McCallum delivers the untold story of the greatest team ever assembled: the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team. As a writer for Sports Illustrated, McCallum enjoyed a courtside seat for the most exciting basketball spectacle on earth, covering the Dream Team from its inception to the gold medal ceremony in Barcelona. Drawing on fresh interviews with the players, McCallum provides the definitive account of the Dream Team phenomenon. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial selection process. He takes us inside the team’s Olympic suites for late-night card games and bull sessions where superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird debated the finer points of basketball. And he narrates a riveting account of the legendary intrasquad scrimmage that pitted the Dream Teamers against one another in what may have been the greatest pickup game in history. In the twenty years since the Dream Team first captivated the world, its mystique has only grown. Dream Team vividly re-creates the moment when a once-in-a-millennium group of athletes came together and changed the future of sports—one perfectly executed fast break at a time. With a new Afterword by the author. “The absolute definitive work on the subject, a perfectly wonderful once-you-pick-it-up-you-won’t-be-able-to-put-it-down book.”—The Boston Globe “An Olympic hoops dream.”—Newsday “What makes this volume a must-read for nostalgic hoopsters are the robust portraits of the outsize personalities of the participants, all of whom were remarkably open with McCallum, both then and now.”—Booklist (starred review) |
| books and basketball aau: The Comic Book Story of Basketball Fred Van Lente, Joe Cooper, 2020-09-22 A fast-break history of basketball--from its humble beginnings to its all-time great players--featuring engaging true tales from the court and vivid, dynamic illustrations. Whether it's millionaire pros facing off in an indoor arena full of screaming fans or a lone kid shooting hoops on an outdoor court, basketball is one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world. The Comic Book Story of Basketball gives you courtside seats to the history of hoops. It chronicles the sport from its beginnings in a YMCA in Massachusetts to its current status as a beloved international game for men and women of all ages. Learn the true stories behind the college game, the street game, the women's game, and the international game, with legendary players and coaches like Dr. J, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Steph Curry profiled throughout. |
| books and basketball aau: The Perfect Team National Basketball Association, 2006 If you could select the greatest basketball team in history, who'd make your roster? How do you even build a team--with pure talent alone or with a combination of talent and role players? In this book, the NBA tapped into top basketball experts, rounded up the greatest players, coach, and GM from different eras of the game, and now presents its argument for basketball's most unbeatable lineup. Each member of the team has been picked as the embodiment of a particular trait such as leadership or competitive drive, rather than simply for being best at his position. And each player tells his story, shares his ideas about the perfect team, and talks about what makes great basketball. Not just an argument for the best team of all time, this is an anatomy of the game presented by those who love it most and play it best.--From publisher description. |
| books and basketball aau: The Game of My Life Jason "J-Mac" McElwain, Daniel Paisner, 2008-02-05 Now in paperback: ?An impressive achievement...Not likely to be forgotten anytime soon.?(Washington Times) Here is the riveting true story of Jason McElwain? better known as ?J-Mac??the autistic student who made headlines when he scored twenty points, including a school record six three-pointers, for his high school basketball team in 2006. Including the revealing perspectives of J-Mac?s family and coach, this is McElwain?s inspiring account of the challenges of growing up autistic?not only for himself, but for his family. It?s also the tale of his unlikely star turn, the difference it made in his journey through life?and all the heartbreaking and heart-lifting stops along the way. |
| books and basketball aau: By the Grace of the Game Dan Grunfeld, Ray Allen, 2021-11-30 A multi-generational family epic detailing history's only known journey from Auschwitz to the NBA When Lily and Alex entered a packed gymnasium in Queens, New York in 1972, they barely recognized their son. The boy who escaped to America with them, who was bullied as he struggled to learn English and cope with family tragedy, was now a young man who had discovered and secretly honed his basketball talent on the outdoor courts of New York City. That young man was Ernie Grunfeld, who would go on to win an Olympic gold medal and reach previously unimaginable heights as an NBA player and executive. In By the Grace of the Game, Dan Grunfeld, once a basketball standout himself at Stanford University, shares the remarkable story of his family, a delicately interwoven narrative that doesn't lack in heartbreak yet remains as deeply nourishing as his grandmother's Hungarian cooking, so lovingly described. The true improbability of the saga lies in the discovery of a game that unknowingly held the power to heal wounds, build bridges, and tie together a fractured Jewish family. If the magnitude of an American dream is measured by the intensity of the nightmare that came before and the heights of the triumph achieved after, then By the Grace of the Game recounts an American dream story of unprecedented scale. From the grips of the Nazis to the top of the Olympic podium, from the cheap seats to center stage at Madison Square Garden, from yellow stars to silver spoons, this complex tale traverses the spectrum of the human experience to detail how perseverance, love, and legacy can survive through generations, carried on the shoulders of a simple and beautiful game. |
| books and basketball aau: Underbelly Hoops Carson Cunningham, 2012-01-16 UNDERBELLY HOOPS covers Carson Cunningham's final season in the storied and now defunct Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In the process, it takes a sober look at minor league professional basketball, as Cunningham tries to navigate a poor relationship with his coach and yet finish his career on his own terms by playing a final season and winning a championship. As UNDERBELLY HOOPS shows, the CBA was a realm where hopeful players desperately hung on and crusty motels might very well have no clocks. It was a place where a trainer could be ordered to fill the visiting team's cooler with warm shower water and a coach might tell a player (namely, Cunningham) that he was focusing too much on his marriage and child rather than basketball. It was also a place where entire hotel wings could become saturated with the pungent smell of marijuana. 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. The hoops answer to Ball Four. By turns funny and poignant—and always self aware—this book allows fans into the locker room and huddle, yes, but also into the cortex of a professional basketball player. If Carson Cunningham could have jumped, run and created his shot off the dribble as masterfully as he writes and observes, he'd be starring in the NBA. —L. Jon Wertheim, Senior Writer for SPORTS ILLUSTRATED |
| books and basketball aau: Seven Seconds Or Less Jack McCallum, 2007-05 Chronicles the Phoenix Suns' 2005-2006 basketball season, discussing players, coaches, games, organizational changes, and more. |
| books and basketball aau: A Coach's Life Dean Smith, John Kilgo, Sally Jenkins, 2002-02-12 For almost forty years, Dean Smith coached the University of North Carolina basketball team with unsurpassed success, having an impact both on the court and in the lives of countless young men. In A Coach’s Life, he looks back on the great games, teams, players, strategies, and rivalries that defined his career and, in a new final chapter, discusses his retirement from the game. The fundamentals of good basketball are the fundamentals of character—passion, discipline, focus, selflessness, and responsibility—and superlative mentor and coach Dean Smith imparts them all with equal authority. |
| books and basketball aau: On Point Hena Khan, 2018-05-29 From the critically acclaimed author of Amina’s Voice comes the second book in an exciting new middle grade series about a scrawny fourth-grader with big dreams of basketball stardom. Now that Zayd has made the Gold Team, he’s hustling hard and loving every minute of the season. But when the team starts to struggle, Zayd can’t help wondering if it has something to do with him. Even worse, his best friend Adam suddenly starts acting like he doesn’t care about basketball anymore, even though they are finally teammates. He stops playing basketball with Zayd at recess and starts hanging out with other kids. Then, Adam up and quits the Gold Team to play football instead. While his uncle’s wedding preparations turn life into a circus at home, Zayd is left on his own to figure things out. He has to decide how to still be friends with Adam and step up to fill the empty shoes he left on the court. Does Zayd have what it takes to be on point and lead his team back to victory? |
| books and basketball aau: Basketball in Action John Crossingham, Sarah Dann, 2000 Introduces the techniques, equipment, rules, and safety requirements of basketball. |
| books and basketball aau: Basketball on Paper Dean Oliver, 2020-02-15 Journey inside the numbers for an exceptional set of statistical tools and rules that can help explain the winning, or losing, ways of a basketball team. Basketball on Paper doesn't diagram plays or explain how players get in shape, but instead demonstrates how to interpret player and team performance. Dean Oliver highlights general strategies for teams when they're winning or losing and what aspects should be the focus in either situation. He describes and quantifies the jobs of team leaders and role players, then discusses the interactions between players and how to achieve the best fit. Oliver conceptualizes the meaning of teamwork and how to quantify the value of different types of players working together. He examines historically successful NBA teams and identifies what made them so successful: individual talent, a system of putting players together, or good coaching. Oliver then uses these statistical tools and case studies to evaluate the best players in history, such as Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Charles Barkley and how they contributed to their teams' success. He does the same for some of the NBA's oddball players-Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues, and Dennis Rodman and for the WNBA's top players. Basketball on Paper is unique in its incorporation of business and analytical concepts within the context of basketball to measure the value of players in a cooperative setting. Whether you're looking for strategies or new ideas to throw out while watching the ballgame at a sports bar, Dean Oliver'sBasketball on Paper will give you amazing new insights into teamwork, coaching, and success. |
| books and basketball aau: Above the Rim Jen Bryant, 2020-10-06 The story of Elgin Baylor, basketball icon and civil rights advocate, from an all-star team Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball’s all-time-greatest players—an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games, many hotels and restaurants turned Elgin away because he was black. One night, Elgin had enough and staged a one-man protest that captured the attention of the press, the public, and the NBA. Above the Rim is a poetic, exquisitely illustrated telling of the life of an underrecognized athlete and a celebration of standing up for what is right. |
| books and basketball aau: My Favorite Sport: Basketball Nancy Streza, 2018-10-01 What's your favorite sport? In My Favorite Sport: Basketball students will learn all about the game of hoops. Each My Favorite Sport book includes engaging nonfiction text about the game, the court, the rules, the scoring, the equipment, and the skills needed to play the game. |
| books and basketball aau: Dragon Hoops Gene Luen Yang, 2020-03-17 In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches. Gene understands stories—comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins. But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well. |
| books and basketball aau: Take the Shot Susan White, 2019-07-23 Bug has a secret. Actually, he has a lot of secrets ... NUMBER ONE: he's formed a basketball team at his new school based on a giant lie. NUMBER TWO: his parents don't know he's playing basketball again. NUMBER THREE: his new team-mates have no idea he isn't allowed to play, and they definitely don't know why. Bug will do ANYTHING to keep his secrets, keep his new team and keep his life from falling apart. Because no one can know THE BIGGEST SECRET OF ALL ... Bug risks his life every time he steps out onto the basketball court. |
| books and basketball aau: Beastly Basketball Lauren Johnson, 2014-07-01 Joe joins his school's basketball team, but finds that the players are disorganized and lacking in discipline--so he sets out to use the skills he has learned in kung fu to bring the other players together as a functioning team. |
| books and basketball aau: The Basket Counts Matt Christopher, 2008-07-01 Mel Jensen, an African-American boy, is talented enough to be on the basketball team's starting lineup, but two of the white players want to keep him in the background. |
| books and basketball aau: Here to Stay Sara Farizan, 2018-09-18 “A powerful YA novel about identity and prejudice.” —Entertainment Weekly Bijan Majidi is: Shy around girls Really into comics Decent at basketball Bijan Majidi is not: A terrorist What happens when a kid who’s flown under the radar for most of high school gets pulled off the bench to make the winning basket in a varsity playoff game? If his name is Bijan Majidi, life is suddenly high fives in the hallways and invitations to exclusive parties—along with an anonymous photo sent by a school cyberbully that makes Bijan look like a terrorist. The administration says they’ll find and punish the culprit. Bijan wants to pretend it never happened. He’s not ashamed of his Middle Eastern heritage; he just doesn’t want to be a poster child for Islamophobia. Lots of classmates rally around Bijan. Others make it clear they don’t want him or anybody who looks like him at their school. But it’s not always easy to tell your enemies from your friends. Here to Stay is a painfully honest, funny, authentic story about growing up, speaking out, and fighting prejudice. |
| books and basketball aau: B is for Baller James Littlejohn, 2018-10-02 Featuring dozens of iconic NBA superstars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry, B is for Baller is the ultimate alphabet book for young hoops fans—whether they're taking their first shot at the ABCs or already perfecting their threes! James Littlejohn's words leap off the page and bring legends to life, while Matthew Shipley's colorful, stylish illustrations are sure to delight fans young and old. What started as a successful Kickstarter project from two passionate NBA fans is now the perfect read for little ballers everywhere! |
| books and basketball aau: We The Champs Alex Wong, Sean Woodley, Jack Armstrong, 2019-06-14 We The North. The slogan for the most successful era of Raptors' basketball was elevated to a new level with the stunning off-season acquisition of superstar Kawhi Leonard. Finally breaking through after years of knocking on the door of the Eastern Conference, the Raptors made history and brought the first championship home to Toronto since the Blue Jays in 1993. From an intriguing new coaching hire in Nick Nurse, to the Leonard trade, to a midseason addition of Marc Gasol, the 2018-2019 season was one of changing the identity of the team, building chemistry, and leading to the franchise's long-awaited first title. From making quick work of the Magic in the first round of the playoffs, to a Game 7 classic against the 76ers, to ripping off four straight wins versus the Bucks, the Raptors were destined to take down the defending champion Golden State Warriors on their way to becoming kings of the NBA. Packed with expert analysis and dynamic color photography, We The Champs: The Toronto Raptors' Historic Run to the 2019 NBA Title takes fans through the Raptors' historic and unforgettable journey, from Nurse and Leonard replacing Dwane Casey and DeMar DeRozan, to Pascal Siakam blossoming into a star, to Leonard's unbelievable four-bounce Game 7 game-winner against the 76ers. This commemorative edition also includes in-depth profiles of Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Masai Ujiri, and other fan favorites who played key roles in Toronto's extraordinary championship run. |
| books and basketball aau: Elle of the Ball Elena Delle Donne, 2018-03-13 From 2015 WNBA MVP, 2016 Olympic gold medalist, and global ambassador to the Special Olympics Elena Delle Donne comes the first novel in a brand-new middle grade series with as much heart as there is game. Elle Deluca is a seventh grader who is tall—not just sort of tall. She’s six feet tall. And for a twelve-year-old girl, this means that her basketball team has high hopes for her changing positions and becoming their starting center. But a new position is not the only footwork she has to learn. Her class’s dance unit in gym is coming up, and that means she has to learn ballroom dance steps with a boy much shorter than her—and perform publically for a grade. In the first book in WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Donne’s Hoops series, Elle must figure out a way to remain herself when others want her to be someone else. |
| books and basketball aau: Brave Dragons Jim Yardley, 2013-01-22 From the former New York Times Beijing bureau chief comes a closely observed story of a struggling Chinese basketball team and its quixotic, often comical attempt to make the playoffs by copying the American stars of the NBA. When the worst professional basketball team in China, the Shanxi Brave Dragons, hired former NBA coach Bob Weiss to improve its fortunes, the team's owner, Boss Wang, promised that Weiss would be allowed to Americanize his players by teaching them advanced basketball culture. That promise would be broken from the moment Weiss landed in China. As we follow this team of colorful oddballs on a fascinating road trip through modern China, we see Weiss learn firsthand what so many other foreigners there have discovered: that changing China happens only when and how China wants to be changed. |
| books and basketball aau: My Losing Season Pat Conroy, 2003-08-26 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A deeply affecting coming-of-age memoir about family, love, loss, basketball—and life itself—by the beloved author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini During one unforgettable season as a Citadel cadet, Pat Conroy becomes part of a basketball team that is ultimately destined to fail. And yet for a military kid who grew up on the move, the Bulldogs provide a sanctuary from the cold, abrasive father who dominates his life—and a crucible for becoming his own man. With all the drama and incandescence of his bestselling fiction, Conroy re-creates his pivotal senior year as captain of the Citadel Bulldogs. He chronicles the highs and lows of that fateful 1966–67 season, his tough disciplinarian coach, the joys of winning, and the hard-won lessons of losing. Most of all, he recounts how a group of boys came together as a team, playing a sport that would become a metaphor for a man whose spirit could never be defeated. Praise for My Losing Season “A superb accomplishment, maybe the finest book Pat Conroy has written.”—The Washington Post Book World “A wonderfully rich memoir that you don’t have to be a sports fan to love.”—Houston Chronicle “A memoir with all the Conroy trademarks . . . Here’s ample proof that losers always tell the best stories.”—Newsweek “In My Losing Season, Conroy opens his arms wide to embrace his difficult past and almost everyone in it.”—New York Daily News “Haunting, bittersweet and as compelling as his bestselling fiction.”—Boston Herald |
| books and basketball aau: The Book of Basketball Bill Simmons, 2009-10-27 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The wildly opinionated, thoroughly entertaining, and arguably definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA—from the founder of The Ringer and host of The Bill Simmons Podcast “Enough provocative arguments to fuel barstool arguments far into the future.”—The Wall Street Journal In The Book of Basketball, Bill Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major NBA debate, from the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball. Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler. |
| books and basketball aau: Jump Ball Mel Glenn, 1997 Tells the story of a high school basketball team's season through a series of poems reflecting the feelings of students, their families, teachers, and coaches. |
| books and basketball aau: BASKETBALLOGY Sylvester, 2017-10-10 Everything you wanted to know about basketball--and more! |
| books and basketball aau: Basketball Allan Morey, 2016-02-02 Once every four years, the best athletes gather at the Summer Olympic Games in tests of speed, strength, and teamwork. Learn about the most popular events and how they captivate audiences around the world. High-imapct photography will engage readers, while the carefully leveled text will help struggling readers be successful. Presents information about basketball in the Olympics, including the history of basketball, how it became an Olympic sport, and well-known players, such as the United States' 1992 Dream Team. |
| books and basketball aau: The A.A.U. Wasteland Dave Taylor, Eli Gonzalez, 2014-08-11 In their book The AAU Wasteland, Coach Dave Taylor and Eli Gonzalez pull back the rug on the AAU and no one is safe, whether they are players, coaches, parents, the NCAA, the NBA, or major shoe companies. Far too many young, influential, and talented basketball players put their hopes into this broken system, only to become non-functioning members of society. However, there is hope! Coach Taylor and Mr. Gonzalez provide a solution that can make the sport of basketball a pure journey to enrich lives once again. If anyone can speak on the current realities of the AAU, it's Dave Taylor. He has played both high school and college basketball. He has coached Division I basketball for four years and was a head varsity basketball coach at the high school level for fifteen years in California. Taylor has been coaching high profile AAU teams and running camps for youngsters with exceptional talent for over twenty years. He currently runs the NATIONAL Jr. Phenom Camp since it started over ten years ago and has also been involved with national AAU programs such as Double Pump and the West Coast All-Star camp for decades. He oversees camps all across the country and has gone to Tokyo, Australia, Beijing, Singapore, and other countries to teach and coach the game of basketball. He will soon run the Plumlee Big Man Camps and other camps for NBA players. He was a character in and was a source of information for the New York Times Best Seller Play Their Hearts Out and is featured in the basketball documentary Hoop Dreams 2. Dave Taylor either directly coached or had in his camps current NBA players such as James Hardin, Carlos Boozer, Paul George, Clay Thompson, Drue Holiday, John Wall, Trevor Ariza, Gilbert Arenas, Mike Dunleavey Jr, the Lopez twins, and many more. Eli Gonzalez is a contracted ghostwriter for Xulon Press who previously coached a high school varsity boy's basketball team. Together they intricately weave a story of innocence lost, peppered with stories of NBA legends, and advice from Coach John Wooden. It also includes Coach Taylor's advice to players, parents, and coaches on leveraging the sport to a better future. |
| books and basketball aau: The AAU Basketball Bible Troy Horne, 2018-07-18 The World of AAU Basketball is changing rapidly. This book holds the answers to all of your questions about the new world of AAU basketball. Inside its pages are step by step directions on how to navigate the AAU basketball landscape successfully for you and your young player. The writings in this book are based off of over 40 interviews with youth basketball leaders, D1 Coaches, Nationally Ranked High School Players, Euroleague Basketball Players, College Basketball Players, Basketball Parents and NBA Veterans. This is a must read for any young basketball player and their family. This book will save you and your family from needless stress and thousands of dollars. You want to read this book if you are serious about helping your young player understand and succeed in the world of AAU basketball. Author Troy Horne is a dad who knew nothing about the sport of basketball except that his son wanted to grow up to play the sport professionally. As a former professional musician, Broadway star and television actor he had an hypothesis. That hypothesis was that there were certain truths that held fast in all professional industries. He believed that the staples of work hard, master your skills, meet the right people, and put yourself in the right places were not only essential for the music business, but essential for all professions. So he went in search of the information that he thought that he would need to help his son Moses reach his basketball goals and dreams. The AAU Basketball Bible is a collection of that research. His hope is that this book can be a resource for parents and coaches like him who want to help their children or young athletes reach their goals. Troy loves educating and inspiring others to succeed and live the life of their dreams. This is a part of that work. |
| books and basketball aau: Attucks! Phillip Hoose, 2018-10-23 Attucks! is true story of the all-black high school basketball team that broke the color barrier in segregated 1950s Indiana, masterfully told by National Book Award winner Phil Hoose. By winning the state high school basketball championship in 1955, ten teens from an Indianapolis school meant to be the centerpiece of racially segregated education in the state shattered the myth of their inferiority. Their brilliant coach had fashioned an unbeatable team from a group of boys born in the South and raised in poverty. Anchored by the astonishing Oscar Robertson, a future college and NBA star, the Crispus Attucks Tigers went down in history as the first state champions from Indianapolis and the first all-black team in U.S. history to win a racially open championship tournament—an integration they had forced with their on-court prowess. From native Hoosier and award-winning author Phillip Hoose comes this true story of a team up against impossible odds, making a difference when it mattered most. An ALA Notable Book of 2019 NYPL Best Book for Teens of 2018 A 2018 Booklist Youth Editors' Choice A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book of 2018 A Kirkus Reviews Best YA Nonfiction Book of 2018 An ALSC Notable Children's Book of 2019 A YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee This title has Common Core connections. |
