This guide lists a number of the best basketball books on the market by looking at what makes them such a useful or fun read.
I have over twenty-five years of experience playing basketball. I also happen to be an avid reader who has spent many a rainy day poring over a book. both, backed by additional research, came together to help me review items throughout this article.
You are reading: Best basketball books 2020
the basketball book is my pick for the best basketball book because it’s an entertaining book that’s incredibly informative at the same time.
As the name suggests, it’s a book about all things basketball. covers players, coaches, and fans, all while being incredibly fun to read. The wealth of knowledge contained within the pages works extremely well with Bill Simmons’ classic polarizing style.
If you’re curious about this or other great basketball books, keep reading the following sections.
who should get this
Basketball is fun to play, but you can’t always get out on the court. Those who enjoy the game, as well as players who like to learn more about it when they can’t hit some shots, will have a lot of fun reading the different books described below.
Not all the books listed here deal with the same topics. that means they are good for a wide range of different people. find out what you want from a basketball book, story, or information, then get the ones that match your interests.
best basketball books to read in 2022: our picks
Here, I’ll go over all the best basketball books money can buy and spend time covering what each one is about.
1. the basketball book
Few novels about the game are longer or deeper than famed podcaster and writer Ben Simmons’ basketball book. The pages are filled with a witty and interesting take on all parts of the game from the early days to the modern NBA.
This book starts the list because it manages to be informative and entertaining at the same time. He has a unique voice and many things to say. Even if you don’t agree with their differing opinions, there is still much to enjoy and learn throughout the book.
2. relentless: from good to great to unstoppable
Written by legendary coach Tim Grover, Relentless is perhaps the best basketball book for people specifically looking to get better at the game. the pages are packed with different tips (both mental and physical) to take your game to the next level.
there’s a lot of honesty in the book and he can be blunt at times. However, that is to be expected with a man so talented that he managed to help both Kobe and Jordan improve on the court. reading it will give you an insight into the minds of nba players and help you improve tremendously.
3. hoop dreams
Based on the popular documentary, Hoop Dreams follows two high school basketball players (William Gates and Arthur Agee) with extremely high aspirations. Not only is it a captivating story, it also shows the stakes and struggles young gamers must face to succeed.
The book takes him on a journey from his beginnings on the streets of Chicago to his eventual college recruitment. there is a lot to cover in that time. the book is both a fun ride and a broader discussion of important topics like education, class, and race.
4. the last shot: city street, basketball dreams
The Last Shot is a well-written and detailed book covering up-and-coming basketball players who came from the streets of Coney Island. As with hoop dreams, it’s a book that covers a fascinating journey and covers a wide range of different difficulties along the way.
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You’ll see the struggles all the different players go through, as well as their drive to get better at the game. The backdrop of streetball and New York culture is another wonderful addition that adds some color and helps create what becomes a largely memorable story.
5. eleven rings: the soul of success
Eleven Rings is another book from one of the all-time greats, this time the legendary trainer Phil Jackson. the coach took home 11 championships during his time in the league, in which he worked with some of the greatest players of all time. the pages cover that story in great detail.
This novel covers his unique coaching style, his thoughts on team chemistry, where he got his vision for the game, and much more. jackson truly changed basketball forever. This book is the best way to find out how he did it and why it worked so well.
6. jordan’s rules
everyone knows the name michael jordan, but few have a key idea of his mind. If you want a unique look at the iconic player, Jordan’s Rules is the book for you. while it covers many of his accomplishments, it is a much more in-depth exposition of what went on behind the scenes.
unlike many biographies, this one covers all the essential details that followed jordan throughout his career. that includes his feuds, infighting and much more. If you’re a Jordan fan, or just enjoy learning more about the NBA, this is a must read.
7. wooden: the life of a coach
Readers who enjoy learning about basketball from a more analytical standpoint, as well as players who want to study the game on a deeper level, will love the life of a coach. John Wooden was an iconic coach, and this biography covers his unique coaching style throughout his career.
Beyond his accomplishments, the book also covers many life lessons he learned throughout his life. those can be as important as knowledge of basketball, creating a deep book that goes beyond so many similar stories.
8. things good players should know
Gamers and fans alike will love the things good players need to know. Coming in a conversational tone, the book breaks down the game extensively while remaining easy to understand. break the basketball into different parts to help you improve your game.
Instead of throwing everything at you right away, the novel lets you take your time. there are many important concepts on the pages. however, you’ll also get a breakdown of the basics and special tips. is a truly comprehensive overview of basketball as a whole.
9. shores of the pacific
pacific rims is a book that analyzes the popularity of basketball in the philippines. follows a journalist who has ventured into the country to interview players and fans alike. which creates a completely different point of view of the game and looks at it through a whole new lens.
On top of that, it’s a tremendously entertaining story. Beyond the usual basketball-based novel, you can see scandals like politicians promising basketball courts in exchange for votes, as well as a traveling basketball show and experience. the writing is also top notch and informative.
10. game breaks
While many books on this list look at basketball from a broad point of view, the breaks in the game focus on a single season. Written by David Halberstam, the novel looks at the pioneers of 1979-1980, who fought hard just a few years after winning the championship.
through that fight, you get a special insight into what life is like in the nba when things go wrong. there are also many broader themes, including power, corruption, money, and greed. it’s a look into the past, but the modern lens creates many messages that are still relevant today.
11. my losing season: memories
Most basketball books focus on winning, but losing is also a fundamental part of the game. my losing season is a great example of that. The book looks at the life of Pat Conroy, the former Citadel Bulldogs point guard who was ultimately destined for failure during his basketball career.
Still, he found a lot to love about the game and the team. His life had many ups and downs around sports, and the novel covers them all. the writing is great and the beats are engaging. is a book that shows that while winning is fun, you also learn a lot from losing.
12. practical modern basketball
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Another book by John Wooden, Modern Practical Basketball is an excellent choice for serious readers who want to learn how to grow as players and as people. The book brushes up on strategy and theory, delivering the woodsy knowledge in a fun and easy-to-digest way.
This is a true book for students of the game and it makes no apologies for that end. if you have coaching aspirations at any level, the book is an incredibly useful tool. it’s also good for people who want to see basketball from a completely different perspective.
13. toughness: develop true strength on and off the court
jay bilas is a tough old school player who spent four years starting at duke. that, combined with his work as an analyst at espn, allowed him to write toughness, a book that teaches strength through a series of stories and anecdotes lived throughout his life.
The book doesn’t stop there. It covers many sports and life philosophies of a wide range of other players and coaches, from Tom Izzo to Bob Knight to Coach K. if you want a book that offers something different without breaking away from basketball, this is a good choice.
14. life is not an accident
Life is no accident is a moving and emotional memoir of the bulls’ first draft pick, jay williams. covers the promising beginning of his career and the unfortunate accident that ended abruptly. that creates an interesting basketball journey that is also about perseverance and life.
This is perhaps one of the more story-oriented books on this list, but it still does it because all fans of the game will appreciate Williams’ perspective on his own loss and depression. is a serious and moving story that has a lot to say about the game and the life around it.
15. sum it up
sum it up is a perfect book for fans who want a different look behind the scenes of basketball. Follow Pat Summit, the legendary coach of the Tennessee Vols women’s basketball team, who broke records and won more games than anyone else in her 38 years in the game.
got tons of achievements during that time and changed the game in so many ways. the book goes through all the moments he spent with the game, both good and bad, and covers what is an unforgettable run. great if you want a good read or an impactful story.
16. the assistance
attendance is a book about jack o’brien, the demanding coach at charlestown high school in boston. Although he is not as outstanding as other coaches on this list, his five state championships in six years are impressive. Even more impressive is that all of his players went to college.
The book is as much a look at basketball as it is a tough, unforgiving character who asks for nothing less than the best. you get a great insight into his own mind and beliefs, as well as a deeper look at upbringing, family, and race. is a basketball story with a bit of everything.
17. when the game was ours
larry bird and magic johnson; two iconic names synonymous with basketball. they played during one of gaming’s golden ages, and this book details that era by looking at the impressive journeys of both players. Those different perspectives make reading fast, fun, and truly unique.
Going into great detail about both players, the book looks at the drive, competitiveness and spirit at the heart of their legendary rivalry. It’s an interesting look at the game and provides insight into one of the greatest eras the NBA, or any other sport, has ever seen.
useful reading tips
Whenever you read a book, no matter what it is, you may not be drawn to it right away. Even if you’re tempted to give it up or throw it away, don’t be afraid to go ahead and give it a chance to develop. you never know what could turn into a great story.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone either. there are many basketball books, and they all cover different topics. take the time to find out what style of novel you are looking for before you go out and make a purchase you may regret.
my verdict
I think the basketball book is the best book on the game on the market. each novel in this article brings something to the table. however, the basketball book gets special marks for how it manages to be fun, entertaining, and informative all at the same time.
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