Akron Public Library

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...

"The standout memoir from NBA powerhouse Andre Iguodala, the indomitable sixth man of the champion Golden State Warriors. Andre Iguodala is one of the most admired players in the NBA. And fresh off the Warriors' third NBA championship in the last four years, his game has never been stronger. Off the court, Iguodala has earned respect, too--for his successful tech investments, his philanthropy, and increasingly for his contributions to the conversation...

When you think of Stephen Curry, one word comes to mind: greatness. From shooting three-pointers with laser precision to his clutch ability to hit buzzer-beaters, he has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA.

"Scottie Pippen has been called one of the greatest NBA players for good reason. Simply put, without Pippen, there are no championship banners—let alone six—hanging from the United Center rafters. There’s no Last Dance documentary. There’s no “Michael Jordan” as we know him. The 1990s Chicago Bulls teams would not exist as we know them. So how did the youngest of twelve go from growing up poor in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas,...

Discusses the life of Kevin Durant, the NBA's all-star and three time scoring champion, his childhood in Washington, D.C area to his success at the University of Texas where his jersey number was later retired, to his 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics.

"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 [provides] an insight into Kobe that no other analysis has"--

With eight straight trips to the NBA Finals, LeBron James has proven himself one of the greatest basketball players of all time. And like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan before him, LeBron has also become a global brand and businessman who has altered the way professional athletes think about their value, maximize their leverage, and use their voice. LEBRON, INC tells the story of James's journey down the path to becoming a billionaire sports icon...

Details of James's life as a young man struggling in his home life to his rise to fame and fortune on the basketball court are illustrated in full-color photos in this biography. Fans get an inside look into the events that made him a star, how he keeps himself grounded amid media attention, and the sometimes negative fan reactions to his decisions. This glimpse of the person behind the athlete reveals a person dedicated to programs that benefit children...

LeBron James: NBA Champion examines the life and career of a player who's been in the spotlight since he was in middle school and rose out of poverty to become an NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and world-famous philanthropist. Features include a timeline, a glossary, further readings, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a...