The best way to learn about NBA icons is to read books actually written by them. And lucky for us, there are a number of NBA players who have written books (well surely they’ve had ghost writers, but you catch our drift!), either as memoirs or on other topics such as leadership, personal growth, and sports psychology. So today we’re going to reveal all of the NBA players that have books, so you can build out your reading list.
These books offer basketball players, coaches, and fans personal insights and perspective, mentorship and guidance, inspiration, and even historical context. You’ll discover wise words from stars including Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant to Steve Nash.
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Explore each NBA player’s book, and learn why it’s a great read for a hooper. Let’s get after it!
This was one of our favorite NBA player books to read. Something that really stood out to us was just how much pain pro athletes put their bodies through to achieve remarkably and consistently in their sports. In “Unguarded,” the six-time champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist opens up to offer pointed and transparent takes on Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Dennis Rodman, among others. Scottie details how he cringed at being labeled Jordan’s sidekick, and discusses how he could have (and should have) received more respect from the Bulls’ management and the media. He also discusses what it was like dealing with Jordan on a day-to-day basis, while serving as the facilitator for the offense and the anchor for the defense.
Scottie is a defensive legend, and if you haven’t watched film on him yet, you need to see how he dictates the offense with his defense. Check out this clip from Detail with Kobe Bryant.
In short, this book is a great read for any hooper that wants to learn more about the mindset of a great, and the business side of basketball. It’s available for purchase on Barnes & Noble as well.
This book is a collection of photographs and essays in which the late NBA player, who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, reflects on his approach to the game of basketball and his mindset.
In “The Mamba Mentality,” Kobe discusses the importance of hard work, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in order to achieve success in basketball and in life. He also shares insights on his training and preparation routines, as well as his approach to leadership and teamwork.
This book is a good read for basketball players because they’ll gain valuable insights to improve their own approach to the game. Additionally, the book’s focus on the mental aspects of basketball, such as mindset and mental toughness, can be especially beneficial for players looking to develop their mental game and take their performance to the next level. It’s available on Barnes & Noble here as well.
True story: one time Shaquille O’Neal thought we stole his dog. We didn’t but he had lost a dog that looked mighty similar to ours. However, luckily, there was one big difference: his was a boy, and mine is a girl! While that story didn’t make it into Shaq’s memoir, the experience certainly made reading his book even more entertaining – and we already know this dude is quite the entertainer – DJ-ing, dunking, you name it. In this memoir, one of the most dominant and successful players in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal, tells the story of his life and career, from his childhood in New Jersey to his time as a college basketball player at LSU and his eventual rise to stardom in the NBA.
Shaq shares stories and insights on his approach to the game, his training and preparation routines, and the mental and physical challenges he faced throughout his career – all of which hoopers can learn from and apply to their own game. Additionally, the book offers a broader perspective on the game of basketball, as Shaq discusses the social and cultural context in which he played, including the role of race in his career and the impact of his celebrity status.
This was a great read – especially if Chris is a favorite player of yours! It’s one of the most recently published books by an NBA player. In Sixty-One, NBA superstar Chris Paul opens up about life beyond basketball and the role his grandfather played in molding him into the man and father he is today. He speaks about the foundation of faith and family he built his life upon, what it means to be a positive light within your community and beyond, and the importance of setting the proper example for future generations. Chris also shares all about his home, Winston-Salem, and the close-knit family and village that raised him to become one of the most respected leaders in all of sports. You’ll probably laugh and cry, so we recommend this book to everyone, whether you’re a sports fan or not.
This memoir written by Dwayne Wade, a three-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, tells the story of his life and career, with a focus on the role that fatherhood has played in his life. Dwayne shares stories and insights on the importance of family and the role that fatherhood has played in his life, as well as the challenges and joys of raising children as a public figure.
“A Father First” is a good book for basketball players because it offers a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of balancing the demands of a professional athletic career with the responsibilities of parenting. It may be of particular interest to basketball players who are looking for guidance on how to balance the demands of their sport with the other aspects of their lives, such as their relationships and personal responsibilities.
This book is from LeBron’s early hooping days! The Shooting Stars were a bunch of kids—LeBron James and his best friends—from Akron, Ohio, who first met on a youth basketball team of the same name when they were ten and eleven years old. United by their love of the game and their yearning for companionship, they quickly forged a bond that would carry them through thick and thin and, at last, to a national championship in their senior year of high school. As one reviewer mentioned, what is admirable about the book is the steadfastness of the players and their determination to win – and that’s something any hooper can learn from.
This was a quick read, that we wish had covered a bit more of Carmelo’s basketball career. This book gives a lot of insight into Carmelo’s early life, but stops short of sharing much about his pro career. For a long time, Carmelo Anthony’s world wasn’t any larger than the view of the hoopers and hustlers he watched from the side window of his family’s first-floor project apartment in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He faced palpable dangers growing up in the housing projects of Red Hook and West Baltimore’s Murphy Homes (a.k.a. Murder Homes, subject of HBO’s The Wire). He navigated an education system that ignored, exploited, or ostracized him. He suffered the untimely deaths of his closely held loved ones.
He struggled to survive physically and emotionally. But with the strength of family and the guidance of key mentors on the streets and on the court, he pushed past lethal odds to endure and thrive. As such it’s an inspiring read for any hooper. Learn more on Barnes & Noble.
In this memoir, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a six-time NBA champion, Kareem traces his life from his childhood in New York City to his career as a professional basketball player, sharing personal stories and reflections along the way.
Kareem shares insights on his approach to the game, his training and preparation routines, and the mental and physical challenges he faced throughout his career. So basketball players can gain valuable insights and inspiration to help them improve their own skills and approach to the game.
Additionally, he discusses the social and cultural context in which he played, including the civil rights movement and the impact of race on his career. So hoopers can learn all about the history of basketball and the role that the game has played in shaping American culture.
In this book, written by Andre Iguodala, an NBA player who won three championships and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2015, he tells the story of his life and career, with a focus on the role that teamwork and leadership have played in his success.
“The Sixth Man” is a good book for basketball players to read because it offers insights on how to develop leadership skills and contribute to the success of a team. Through his book, Andre shares his thoughts on the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust in achieving success on the court, as well as the role that leadership plays in creating a winning culture. Andre recalls tons of lessons teammates taught him or how their positive attitude affected his life in a better way. These lessons often come in the form of his reverence for black culture, his career longevity, his mental health, and demonstrate why Andre has such great respect for the people along the way who contributed to his life.
This book by Phil Jackson, a former NBA coach who won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports (a record 11 NBA championships), shares his thoughts on leadership and success, drawing on his experiences as a coach and his relationships with some of the most successful players in NBA history.
In “Eleven Rings” he dishes on how he managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title; inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves; and transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team.
This book offers insights on how to achieve success as a team and develop a winning culture. It may be of particular interest to basketball players looking to develop their mental game and take their performance to the next level, as Phil discusses the role of mindfulness and meditation in helping players perform at their best.
In this memoir written by Larry Bird, he discusses his upbringing in rural Indiana, his college career at Indiana State University, and his professional career with the Boston Celtics. He also touches on his relationships with his teammates and opponents, his struggles with injuries and other personal challenges, and his eventual retirement from the game.
Basketball players at any level may benefit from reading this book because it provides insight into the mindset and approach of a successful athlete. Larry Bird was known for his intense work ethic, competitive drive, and commitment to improving his skills, and his experiences and lessons learned can be applicable to any athlete looking to improve their game. In addition, the book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional basketball and the challenges that players at that level face.
In this memoir, Magic Johnson discusses his childhood in Lansing, Michigan, his college career at Michigan State University, and his professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also touches on his relationships with his teammates and opponents, his philanthropic work, and his eventual retirement from the game.
Basketball players will enjoy the insight into the mindset and approach of a successful athlete. Magic Johnson was known for his unselfish play, leadership skills, and ability to make his teammates better, and his experiences and lessons learned can be applicable to any athlete looking to improve their game.
This memoir by the GOAT shows how and what drove Michael to play at his very best every single day, not just on the court, but also in his life. He compares his performance on the court, with his performance as a businessman launching his Jordan Brand shoes, giving readers insight into the design process as well.
This book provides insight into the mindset and approach of a successful athlete. Michael Jordan was known for his unrelenting drive to win, intense work ethic, and relentless competitiveness, and his experiences and lessons learned can be applicable to any hooper looking to improve their game. It also shows how important mental toughness is, by revealing some of Michael’s day-to-day schedule of staying in top shape for games.
With a 4.3/5 rating and a published date in 1992, a “View from Above” is a memoir written by Wilt Chamberlain that discusses his upbringing in Philadelphia, his college career at the University of Kansas, and his professional career with the Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He also touches on his relationships with his teammates and opponents, his experiences with racial discrimination, and his eventual retirement from the game.
Wilt Chamberlain was known for his dominant physical presence on the court, his record-breaking performances, and his competitive drive, and his experiences and lessons learned can be applicable to any hooper looking to improve their game.
Grant Hill was known for his versatility, leadership skills, and dedication to his craft. His choice of college was a subject of national interest, and his arrival at Duke University cemented the program’s arrival at the top. In his freshman year, he led the team to its first NCAA championship, and three championship appearances in four years. Later, as one of the NBA’s best players and a new face of the Detroit Pistons franchise, Grant was the first person with the potential to give Michael Jordan a run for his money, not just as a player but as a brand. His $45 million rookie contract was almost the least of it. He turned down Nike for Fila, and soon Method Man and Tupac Shakur were wearing his shoes.
Grant writes candidly about all of it, including the transactional impermanence of life in the league and the isolation caused by his growing fame. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional basketball and the challenges that players at that level face, which can be educational and inspiring for any aspiring basketball player.
This book is not written by Giannis, but it’s too good not to include. Written by Mirin Fader, this book tells the story of Giannis’ life and career, with a focus on his rise from an unknown teenager in Greece to one of the most dominant players in the NBA “the Greek Freak.”
“Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA Champion” is a good book for basketball players to read because it offers an inspiring and motivating story about the value of hard work, determination, and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. By reading about Giannis’ experiences and the lessons he learned throughout his career, basketball players can gain valuable insights and inspiration to help them pursue their own dreams and achieve their full potential! It’s available on Barnes & Noble too.
To discover even more NBA players that have books, check out recommendations from Business Insider.
Find your new favorite book today! For more ideas to improve your game or learn about basketball, check out the best basketball books for teenagers and the best women’s basketball books of all time. All these books make for great gifts for hoopers – for Christmas too.
