Download or read book Chris Paul the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-05-11 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar Chris Paul!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Chris Paul: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's premier point guard, Chris Paul. Chris Paul has emerged as a top five point guard in the NBA amongst the likes of Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, and Rajan Rondo. From once struggling to make the varsity team of his high school team, Chris Paul has come a long way since being drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. The rest is history as the Los Angeles Clippers have emerged to become one of the elite teams in the West. This year, the Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games.Chris Paul is easily one of the most dynamic point guards to play the game of basketball. From flashy crossovers to speedy races down the court on the fastbreak to lobs to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, John Wall has had an illustrious basketball career.It will be exciting to see how Chris Paul and the Clippers do in this year's 2013-2014 NBA playoffs.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood College Years at Wake Forest Chris Paul's NBA Career CP3's Personal Life Paul's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Chris Paul's Legacy An excerpt from the book:The other question that will confront Paul in the future is how long he can hold to the title of best point guard in the league. Since his near-MVP season in 2008, Paul has been the gold standard through which all other point guards are compared to. Fellow 2005 NBA Draft point guard Deron Williams challenged Paul for years and repeatedly beat Chris Paul in head to head matchups. But Deron Williams has fallen off over the years, as he now lacks the explosiveness that he used to overpower the smaller Paul. Derrick Rose won the MVP in 2011, but has never been the same thanks to multiple knee injuries. Stephen Curry has lit up the league with his three-point shooting, John Wall has unparalleled speed, and there are more great young point guards today than perhaps at any moment in NBA history. But while Chris Paul may lack their athleticism, no point guard in the league has his on-court knowledge. Eventually, one of those younger point guards will surpass the aging Paul, as time devours all things - with the possible exception of the San Antonio Spurs. The legacy of Chris Paul will be written in the next few years, as his prime begins to reach his end. Will the point guard who puts up incredible numbers and leads a team night in and night out be able to secure that elusive championship? Will Paul secure his rank among the truly great point guards? And how long will this point guard be able to dominate his position? Until that day comes when someone surpasses, this generous, intelligent man, who has endured terrible and horrific losses, will showcase himself as possibly the greatest point guard there ever was and ever will be.

Download or read book Russell Westbrook written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2014-04-25 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In Russell Westbrook: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Premier Point Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's rising superstar point guard, Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook's ascent into the top ten point guards in the NBA amongst the likes of Chris Paul, Steve Nash, and Rajan Rondo has definitely been a surprise. From once struggling to make his high school varsity team (he did not make it until his junior year) to spending his freshman year at UCLA as a benchwarmer, few would have predicted that Russell Westbrook would be selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The rest is history as the Oklahoma City Thunder continue their quest for a championship. " - Amazon.com

Download or read book Sixty One written by Chris Paul and published by St. Martin's Press. This book was released on 2023-06-20 with total page 201 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Instant New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller! A powerful and unexpected memoir of family, faith, tragedy, and life's most important lessons. The day after future NBA superstar Chris Paul signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for Wake Forest, he received a world-shattering phone call. His grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones, a pillar of the Winston-Salem community where he owned and operated the first Black-owned service station in North Carolina, was mugged and ultimately died from a heart attack resulting from the assault. His funeral filled the largest church in the county, which held over one thousand people. He was sixty-one years old. The day after burying his grandfather, Chris was coping the best way he knew how: by playing basketball for his high school team. After pouring in shot after shot, his last attempt was an airball purposely flung out of bounds from the foul line before Chris exited the game. The next day, local news headlines declared that he fell six points shy of the statewide single game high school scoring record. But he accomplished exactly what he set out to do: scoring sixty-one points, one for each year of life lived by his grandfather. In Sixty-One, Chris opens up about life beyond basketball and the role his grandfather played in molding him into the man and father he is today. He’ll speak 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. Most importantly, Chris will talk 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.

Download or read book Chris Paul written by Bill Redban and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-12-26 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover The Inspirational Story of Basketball Superstar Chris Paul!Read on your PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device!You're about to discover the incredibly inspirational story of basketball superstar Chris Paul. If you're reading this then you must be a Chris Paul fan, like so many others. As a fan, you must wonder how this man is so talented and want to know more about him. Chris Paul is considered as one of the greatest basketball players in the world and it's been an honor to be able to watch him play throughout his career. This book will reveal to you much about Chris Paul's story and the many accomplishments throughout his career.Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... Youth and Family Life High School and College Career Professional Career and Personal Life Legacy, Charitable Acts and much more! If you want to learn more about Chris Paul, then this book is for you. It will reveal to you many things that you did not know about this incredible basketball star!About the Author:Inspirational Stories is a series aimed at highlighting the great athletes of our society. Our mission is to present the stories of athletes who are not only impactful in their sport, but also great people outside of it. The athletes we write about have gone above and beyond to become impactful in their community and great role models for the youth, all while showing excellence in their profession. We publish concise, easily consumable books that portray the turning points in the lives of these great athletes, while also giving the context in which they occurred. Our books are especially great for children who look up to sports figures. Hopefully these athletes can serve as a source of inspiration and their stories can provide life lessons that are practical for fans of any demographic.

Download or read book John Wall the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Fastest Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-05-05 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar John Wall!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In John Wall: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Fastest Point Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's rising superstar point guard, John Wall. John Wall has emerged as a top ten point guard in the NBA amongst the likes of Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, and Rajan Rondo has definitely been a surprise. From once struggling to behave in school and on the basketball court to being benched by his high school basketball coach, John Wall has come a long way since being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. The rest is history as the Washington Wizards have emerged to become one of the top teams in the East. This year, the Wizards won their first playoff series in six years, defeating the Chicago Bulls in five games.John Wall is easily one of the most dynamic point guards to play the game of basketball. From flashy crossovers to speedy races down the court on the fastbreak, John Wall has a bright basketball career ahead of him.It will be exciting to see how John Wall and the Wizards do in this year's 2013-2014 NBA playoffs.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood College Years at Kentucky John Wall's NBA Career Wall's Personal Life Wall's Impact on Basketball and Beyond John Wall's Legacy An excerpt from the book:Regardless of where Washington finishes in the playoffs, the 2013-14 season has been impressive both for the team as well as John Wall. The young man who once suffered from maturity issues has developed into a confident point guard; ready to lead the Wizards however far they may go. Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul remains the best point guard in the NBA, and Wall is far from the only young point guard who seeks to take Paul's throne. Derrick Rose has won a MVP. Russell Westbrook has been the second option on a championship team. Stephen Curry has led the Golden State Warriors out of years of irrelevancy, and Damian Lillard has proven to be a monster in the clutch over and over again, drilling a series-clinching three point shot in these 2014 playoffs against the Houston Rockets.Can Wall truly prove himself to be the best point guard of them all? Only he knows. But the Wizards will do their best to provide him with the help he needs. They have tough, savvy veterans like Ariza and Nene, and also high potential prospects from their years in the lottery in Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. But the Wizards remain John Wall's team and will be so for at least the next few years. It will be up to Wall to lead the Wizards to victory as well as develop into an outstanding point guard. With his long track of developing from just another playground athlete to one of the premier young point guards in the NBA, there is little doubt that he can very well accomplish all this and more.

Download or read book Basketball Dreams written by Chris Paul and published by Roaring Brook Press. This book was released on 2023-01-10 with total page 21 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From NBA All-Star Chris Paul comes an inspirational and uplifting picture book about chasing your basketball dreams and the lessons he learned both on and off the court from his beloved grandfather Papa Chilly. Growing up, young Chris Paul dreamed of playing professional basketball. But he knew it would take more than dedication and practice, so Chris looked to his grandfather Papa Chilly as a shining example of the values he could apply both in basketball and in life. Papa taught him about respect, faith, kindness, generosity, and the determination to succeed, just as Papa had succeeded as the first Black business owner of a service station in North Carolina. Serving as a beacon of inspiration for Chris, Papa Chilly and his lessons propelled Chris to become the star NBA player—and person—he is today.

Download or read book John Stockton written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-04-26 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In John Stockton : The inspiring story of one of basketball's greatest point guards, you will learn the inspiring story of one of basketball's greatest point buards of all time, John Stockton. Stockton ran the point for the Utah Jazz through the majority of the 80s and 90s. He holds the NBA record for the most assists and steals of all time. Playing for the majority of his career alongside Karl Malone, Stocktin had a highly illustrious career. By the time he retired, he was a ten-time All-Star and had led the league in assists nine times. He is one of few point guards to ever average a career double-double in points and assists. In this unauthorized biography, you'll relive Stockton's impressive career from his rookie season to his final game.

Download or read book Meet Chris Paul Basketball s CP3 written by Ethan Edwards and published by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. This book was released on 2014-01-01 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although relatively small for a basketball player, Chris Paul has proved that he is capable of big feats. This volume follows the L.A. Clipper from his early years, through his college years at Wake Forest, and into his NBA career. Along the way records get broken and awards are won in this absorbing biography.

Download or read book Long Shot written by Chris Paul and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2030-12-31 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Download or read book Steve Nash the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-03-29 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar Steve Nash!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Steve Nash: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier point guards Steve Nash. Steve Nash has had a storied career playing in the National Basketball Association. In this short book, we will learn about how Steve became the storied point guard that he is today. Starting first with his childhood and early life, we'll learn about Steve prior to entering the NBA, his time in the NBA, along with his impact on the communities of the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. Regardless of how Steve Nash's career will end, he will go down in the NBA records as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game among the other greats like John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Gary Payton. Former commissioner David Stern perhaps said it best at the award ceremony for Steve's Most Valuable Player award when he stated, "You demonstrate the best of our sport, a passion for our game, a commitment to your community, and an engagement with our fans. What more could we say?"Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life Fondness Towards Soccer The High School and College Years High School Dominance in British Columbia Next Stop on The Road to Greatness: Santa Clara Junior Year: A Breakthrough Season Senior Year: On Top of the College Basketball World The Rookie Campaign Trade to the Dallas Mavericks The Return to Phoenix Leaving Phoenix for Los Angeles Steve Nash's Personal Life Philanthropic Efforts Soccer's Influence on Steve Steve Nash's Legacy An excerpt from the book:With all of his accomplishments during the course of his long career, which has spanned from the mid 1990's to present day 2014, one thing that Steve Nash never did was play outside his means. Nash has never been one to talk trash since he did his talking through his play on the court. Perhaps the biggest thing that Steve Nash will leave to Phoenix, basketball and the world as a whole is first and foremost that he was one of the classiest players in the NBA and a true example of good sportsmanship. Secondly, Steve Nash is a perfect example of hard work and perseverance. Nash decided as a child that he was going to play in the NBA. Yet, nobody gave him a chance since he was just a skinny kid from British Columbia. The big colleges did not want him. Despite the numerous rejections he received from some of the notable basketball schools in the nation, he persevered and continued to play. When he arrived at Santa Clara he continued to work hard and made it to the NBA, never giving up on his goal. Steve Nash's life and career is a true testament to what hard work and dedication can do for you.When all is said and done, Steve Nash will be remembered as not just a great basketball player, but as a man as well. Steve Nash is a dedicated philanthropist who gave and continues to give back to his city. He will be remembered for the way he beat all of the odds not only by making it to the NBA, but for how hard he continued to work once he made it to the NBA. Steve Nash will be remembered not only for setting records, but also for the way he played to earn those records. Steve Nash is one of the greats and he will be forever remembered as such. Looking over the course of his career, there is no doubt that Steve Nash will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Download or read book Chris Paul An Unauthorized Biography written by Belmont and Belcourt Biographies and published by . This book was released on 2014-12-16 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chris Paul is an NBA star on the rise. He represents the point guard of the future. He's an unbelievable scorer, a great defender, and a player who controls the game's tempo. He creates opportunities for his teammates and challenges them, as well. LeBron James has called him the league's best point guard "because he had eyes in the back of his head." Most fans are aware of his exceptional talents, but in order to truly understand Chris Paul, you must first understand where he came from. This book explores Paul's upbringing, his high school and college careers, and details his breakthrough into the NBA, all the way through the onset of the 2014-2015 NBA season. Paul's unique abilities and interesting life story has fans wondering where his career will take him next. Inside, you will discover where it all started and learn why so many fans love Paul so much. From family to basketball to the future, all you need to know about Chris Paul is right here, right now, in the most up to date coverage of his life.

Download or read book Chris Paul written by Donald Parker and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chris Paul is one of the important players for the Houston Rockets. Drafted by the New Orleans Hornets with the first pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the native of Winston-Salem, NC has proven himself to be a true superstar and one of the league's Hardwood Great. CP3 is a nine-time NBA All-Star and a nine-time All-Defensive team selection. In the top ten for career steals and assists, Paul is one of the premier point guards in the game, known for having one of the highest basketball IQs in the NBA. In addition to his accomplishments on the floor, he is also president of the NBA Players Association. Each book in the Hardwood Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NBA stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

Download or read book Devin Booker the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Rising Shooting Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2018-11-13 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Phoenix Suns' Star Guard Devin Booker! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device. Limited time offer: If you buy the print edition, you can keep the Kindle edition for yourself! In Devin Booker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Rising Shooting Guards, you will learn the incredible story of one of basketball's most exciting young shooting guards, Devin Booker. As the thirteenth overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Devin Booker become a prominent piece of the Suns franchise as they continue rebuilding post the Steve Nash and Mike D'antoni era. It's no surprise the Suns extended a five-year maximum contract for Booker in the summer of 2018. After all, he has been one of their most consistent players the last few years. At the time of this writing, expectations are high for Booker looking ahead. There is still a great deal of potential to actualize at the young age of twenty-two. It'll be exciting to follow Booker's journey as he continues to grow in the years to come. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School and College Career Getting Drafted, Rookie Season, Breakout Year, Rise to Stardom The Max Player, Phoenix's New Face of the Franchise Booker's Personal Life Impact on Basketball Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: In today's NBA, there are two things about a player that will always get scouts, coaches, and general managers raving. No, we are not talking about experience and stats. We are talking about youth and potential. When those two aspects meet in one prospect, it is almost impossible for any scout or coach to pass on a player like that. Time and time again, it has been proven that young players with potential will most likely end up not only as stars, but game-changers. In 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves did not make a mistake when they drafted an 18-year-old Kevin Garnett out of high school even though he had not played a single college game. The same could be said about Kobe Bryant, who got passed on by 12 teams in 1996. Any of those teams would have drafted him top overall had that draft been done over again. And we all know what happened in 2003 when the 18-year-old phenom LeBron James was taken top overall. There is no need to expound on the career LeBron has carved since the teenager first stepped on an NBA court. Obviously, all of those players were drafted at a very young age. But age was not the only factor as to why those teams took their chances when they drafted players that had not proven themselves in college. What was apparent was that they did not need to dominate in college because they already had enough potential to become stars in the NBA. But young and talented players do not always make a quick and easy transition to the pro leagues. While it only took until their second season in the league for Garnett, Bryant, and James to establish themselves as All-Stars, there have been some high school-to-pro players that did not become stars themselves. Nevertheless, teams will always gamble on a young player with a lot of potential because they know that, if they can hone them the right way, they can eventually pay dividends. Tags: Devin Booker Bio, Kentucky basketball, steve nash, phoenix suns, d'angelo russell, draymond green, karl-anthony towns, rodney hood, tyler ulis

Download or read book Chris Paul written by Aurelia Jackson and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-11-17 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After being chosen as Rookie of the Year in 2006, Chris Paul has done a lot to show fans he's one of the NBA's most talented players. A six-time NBA All-Star, Chris even won the All-Star Game MVP award in 2013. Whether playing with the Hornets or with the Clippers, Chris has done amazing things in his years in the NBA. Learn more about one of the NBA's best players. Discover how he became the impressive player he is today!

Download or read book Isaiah Thomas the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Most Prolific Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2017-04-24 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Boston Celtics Star Point Guard Isaiah Thomas! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device. This holiday season, if you buy the print edition as a gift, you can keep the Kindle edition for yourself! In Isaiah Thomas: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Prolific Point Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier point guards, Isaiah Thomas. The Boston Celtics secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2016-2017 season behind the leadership of Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, just 5' 9'' in stature, has overcome many obstacles to become one of the best scorers in the league. His ability to both penetrate and create shot opportunities for himself are truly impressive, making him the Celtics' go-to scorer in the fourth quarter. In this book, we'll learn more about Isaiah Thomas' journey into the NBA, his impact on the game, and his growing legacy as one of the greatest small guard scorers in the modern era. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood High School and College Career Getting Drafted, The Rookie and Early Seasons, Proving Himself The Move to Phoenix, the Three Point Guard Lineup The Trade to the Celtics, Rising with Boston First All-Star Season and Rise to Elite Status, the King in the Fourth Personal Life Thomas' Impact and Legacy An excerpt from the book: The world loves an underdog. People always cheer for the man who fights against all the odds and those that defy the usual standards. Underdogs are never more beloved than in the world of sports, where guys that defy physical standards always get the adoration of the masses. Basketball is one of the sports that is never short of an underdog. In the game of basketball and a professional league such as the NBA, physical gifts have always made superstars out of the athletes. You talk about Shaquille O'Neal, who stood over 7 feet tall and weighed over 320 pounds of mass. Then there is LeBron James, who is 260 pounds of muscle but runs like a gazelle on the hard floor. Russell Westbrook may not be the tallest guard on the floor, but he is lightning quick and jumps out of the building. The best superstars have always been some of the most physically gifted athletes in the history of the game. The NBA has always been like that. It assesses the players' potential first and foremost based on what his physical attributes could accomplish. His height and wingspan are measured. They look at how physically ready his body is for a tough grind in the league. They assess how fast he could run and how high he could leap. After all, basketball has always been one of the sports that rely chiefly on an athlete's physical gifts. Tags: Isaiah Thomas Bio, Isaiah Thomas basketball, Boston Celtics basketball, Al Horford, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Brad Stevens, Kelly Olynyk, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving

Download or read book Chris Paul written by Jeff Savage and published by Lerner Publications. This book was released on 2009-08-01 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A look at the life and career of this famous NBA player.

Download or read book Tony Parker the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2014-06-28 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Incredible Story of Basketball Superstar Tony Parker!Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device!In Tony Parker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you'll read about the inspirational story of basketball's premier point guard, Tony Parker. Tony Parker became one of the first international players to create a lasting impact in the NBA at the point guard position. In an age filled with greats like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Tim Duncan, Parker played in one of the most exciting eras of modern basketball. In Tony Parker's duration as a San Antonio Spur, the Spurs have won six NBA championships and created a perennial contender. While he may have been considered raw upon first entering the league, Tony Parker worked tirelessly throughout his first few seasons in the league to ensure his sustainable success in the NBA. Whenever he decides to retire, he will be remembered as one of the key pieces of the San Antonio Spurs Big Three.Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood Career in France Tony Parker's NBA Career Parker's Personal Life Impact on Basketball and Beyond Parker's Legacy An excerpt from the book:While basketball today is a global sport with dozens of international players currently in the NBA, it was not like that in 2001. Basketball was a sport played almost entirely by Americans.A few foreigners had done well for themselves in the NBA. Lithuanian Arvydas Sabonis, even as a 36-year old center, had led the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2000 Playoffs to a near victory over the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers. Croatian Toni Kukoc had played a key role as part of Michael Jordan's second three-peat. And over the past NBA season, a German 7-footer named Dirk Nowitzki had averaged 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds over the past 2000-01 season. But all three of those players were big men, and big men would always be in demand. For an international guard to succeed in the NBA was a different story. Croatian shooting guard Drazen Petrovic had made the All-NBA Third Team in 1993 before he tragically perished in a car accident. But in the eight years since his death, no foreign guard had come close to surpassing his legacy.No guard until now. For on June 27, 2001, the San Antonio Spurs would select a French point guard named Tony Parker with the 28th pick in the draft. Outside of his invitation to the Nike Hoop Summit in 2000, Parker had never played in the United States. He was listed at just 5'11'' during the draft and was viewed as a "project", a good athlete who would need time to develop into a legitimate basketball player. Would Parker be able to adjust to playing in an entirely different country? Would he be able to handle playing for the San Antonio Spurs, a championship-level team that had no time to coddle him? Would he handle the transition from playing in Paris to the middle of Texas?The answer turned out to be a resounding "yes." Under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, Parker slowly developed from an inconsistent, unsure point guard to one of the most devastating offensive players in the game. Alongside Hall of Fame power forward Tim Duncan and Argentinian shooting guard Manu Ginobili, Parker has helped to create one of the most devastating trios in the history of basketball. The result has been winning seasons year after year, multiple nominations to the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Team, a Finals MVP, and five NBA championships. International players are now a regular part of the NBA, and their ranks continue to swell each season. But while there were foreign players before Parker as well as foreign players better than him, Parker showed that any international player could succeed in the NBA if they worked hard enough for it.