On this page I have listed the basketball books that I have read (or listened to) and recommend. You will find a brief summary of the book below the Amazon.com link to that media. Check out the reviews and look inside these books for more information on Amazon.com. These are affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links I will earn a small commission but there will be no extra cost for you. Enjoy!
My Recommended List of Basketball Books
1. Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Stephen Curry by Marcus Thompson
I loved the story of the undersized point guard from Davidson College who rises up to become a two-time NBA MVP and a three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors. Marcus Thompson is a Steph Curry “insider” and a talented writer who really makes the book come alive. I admit, I am a little biased toward Stephen Curry since I graduated from Davidson College and have followed his career since he was there.
2. Catch a Star: Shining Through Adversity to Become a Champion by Tamika Catchings
Tamika’s story is the inspirational tale of a young girl who overcomes hearing loss and other obstacles to grow up and become an NCAA champion at Tennessee under coach Pat Summitt and then a WNBA MVP and champion with the Indiana Fever. In 2020, Catchings was one of four players inducted into the Hall of Fame with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. Tamika’s relentless drive and faith in God propelled her to an extraordinary life. Great read!
3. Dream Team by Jack McCallum
Sports journalist Jack McCallum witnessed the 1992 Olympic gold medal quest by the greatest basketball team ever assembled. Get the inside scoop on how Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, among many other greats, captivated the world on their way to the gold. I enjoyed the many “behind-the-scenes” glimpses that the book provides as well as the chance to learn more about these stars off of the basketball court.
4. Pistol Pete:Heir to a Dream by Pete Maravich and Darrel Campbell
I enjoyed this story of Pete Maravich’s life and basketball career. The book highlights the relationship of Pete and his father and coach, Press Maravich. Pete’s success in high school, college, and the NBA is also captured. Despite all of the fame, basketball records, and money, Maravich felt that something was missing. His walk with God and relationship with Jesus Christ is what ultimately gave Pete fulfillment.
5. Sports Illustrated Basketball’s Greatest
Sports Illustrated Basketball’s Greatest is one of my favorite basketball books. It is a large hardcover book with fantastic photography, a countdown of the Top 10 players at each position as well as lots of interesting writing about the greatest players to play the game of basketball.
6. LeBron, Inc.: The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete by Brian Windhorst
As a teacher and entrepreneur, I very much enjoyed the story of the building of LeBron’s business empire. The book focuses on the off-court business dealings that LeBron and his team of advisors had with such companies as Nike, Beats, and Coke. It also shows LeBron’s desire not just to be a pitchman, but to have ownership in his business ventures. Very interesting book!
7. Tall Tales: The Glory Years of the NBA, in the Words of the Men Who Played, Coached, and Built Pro Basketball by Terry Pluto
The thing that I found so interesting about this book is that the great majority of the book is told by the early stars of basketball. Pluto would often start a topic and then the rest of that section of the book is told by the stars who played the game. In flipping through the pages, some of the players telling the story of basketball are Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Ed Macauley, Bob Pettit, Zelmo Beaty, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, and Billy Cunningham, just to name a few.
8. The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant
The Mamba Mentality is a gorgeous book filled with awe-inspiring photography by Andrew Bernstein, a renowned photographer who was honored with the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. As a lifelong Laker fan, I enjoyed getting an inside look into the way that Kobe approached the game and his insights on how he played against many of the superstars of his era.
9. Basketball: Its Origin and Development
This book is written by Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball. Read how Dr. Naismith first came up with the idea of basketball and all of the changes that took place in the game during his lifetime. You will also see how basketball spread first throughout the United States and then around the world. If you like sports history you will love this book. Some of the early rules of basketball are hilarious!