Download or read book Above the Noise written by DeMar DeRozan and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2024-09-10 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From one of the most outspoken and respected NBA athletes comes a groundbreaking and remarkable memoir chronicling a very public struggle with depression, in the hopes that other people will not suffer alone. “DeMar DeRozan’s story is one of adaptability, courage, and love. The persistent effort on his part to rise above is compelling and important.”—Coach Gregg Popovich, from the foreword “As men, and especially Black men, we don’t talk about our mental health enough. We struggle to admit when things aren’t okay, even when it’s obvious to everybody around us. I’ve seen how toxic that can become. I’ve experienced it myself, keeping everything under wraps until your head and heart are full of fire and rage.” DeMar DeRozan, six-time NBA All-Star, has been called a “basketball savant” (ESPN) and “the best closer in the NBA” (GQ)—but when he went public with his depression, it sparked a conversation that reached far beyond the court. By breaking the stigma of speaking out, he added a new, seldom-heard voice to the mental health dialogue: a successful Black male athlete, openly naming his pain and advocating for others to do the same. Now it’s time to tell the full story. Born and raised in Compton, DeRozan was no stranger to hardship—living in poverty, losing friends to gang violence. In worn-out school gyms and community centers, fueled by hunger and a desire to prove himself, he started to rise, but doubts followed. In Above the Noise, DeRozan opens up about his proudest triumphs and the times he felt so weighed down he couldn't get out of bed. He reflects on what it took to make a name for himself in a new country after getting drafted by the Toronto Raptors, the pressure of playing with veteran athletes as a twenty-year-old rookie, and the pain of losing role models. From a scared, angry kid to a confident father of five, DeRozan traces his journey to basketball stardom and the forces that honed him into the player—and the slowly healing person—he is today. It will encourage anyone who has ever felt alone in their struggles and inspire people to rise above the noise and speak their truth.

Download or read book DeMar Derozan the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Star Shooting Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2017-04-10 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Toronto Raptors' Star Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In DeMar DeRozan: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Star Shooting Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest offensive players, DeMar DeRozan. DeMar DeRozan has quickly emerged as one of the premier scorers in the NBA, with a ruthless ability to score that reminds many of none other than a combination of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Since being drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, DeMar has played a significant role in the Raptors' emergence as a force in the Eastern Conference. Paired with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors are a formidable team in the East, and will likely remain so for years to come. In this unauthorized biography, we'll explore DeMar's incredible life story and impact on the game of basketball. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career College Career NBA Career Getting Drafted, The Rookie Campaign, The Development Years Teaming Up with Kyle Lowry, the Rudy Gay Experiment, First All-Star Season, Playoff Debut, Injury Struggles, Lowry's Evolution into an All-Star Breaking Through to the Conference Finals, Road to Becoming Elite International Career Personal Life and Impact on Basketball Legacy and Future An excerpt from the book: The shooting guard position has always been one of the more difficult spots to play in the NBA. Shooting guards are required first and foremost to be among the best scorers on their team since their primary role of the team is to, of course, shoot and make their shots. While scoring the ball may not sound like the most difficult task to do, what makes the shooting guard a difficult position in the NBA is the level of skill required to be elite. As far as the history of the league is concerned, there have not been a lot of great shooting guards compared to centers, point guards, and forwards due to the relative difficulty the position requires for the player to be elite. But even though there have not been a lot of great shooting guards in the NBA's history, the best of the best happen to be those that play that position. Since the dawn of the league, the first great shooting guard was the NBA logo himself, Jerry West. Then there came guys like George Gervin and Pete Maravich during the dark 70's era of the league. Come the 80's and 90's, Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler dominated the position. Those that came after them were Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, and Dwyane Wade. And Michael Jordan, the greatest player to have ever played the game, is known as a shooting guard. There have not been a lot of great shooting guards, but they were always the best of their respective eras. Tags: DeMar DeRozan Bio, DeMar DeRozan basketball, Toronto Raptors basketball, Kyle Lowry, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Jonas Valanciunas, Paul George, James Harden, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady

Download or read book Story of DeMar DeRozan written by David L Johnson and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-08-16 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What drives a young man from Compton to become one of the most respected and skilled players in the NBA? How does a player overcome early challenges, rise to stardom, and continually reinvent himself, even when faced with the pressures of the spotlight? In Story of DeMar DeRozan: The Relentless Journey to Basketball Greatness, dive deep into the life and career of DeMar DeRozan, a player known for his fierce determination, unmatched work ethic, and unyielding passion for basketball. This book takes you beyond the statistics, exploring the personal and professional journey of a man who has faced adversity with grace and emerged as a true leader on and off the court. From his humble beginnings in Compton to his ascent as a high school phenom, and from his remarkable career with the Toronto Raptors to his transformative role with the Chicago Bulls, this biography captures the essence of DeRozan's relentless pursuit of greatness. You'll discover how DeRozan's love for the game was shaped by his childhood experiences, how he honed his craft to dominate the NBA, and how he continues to inspire through his advocacy for mental health awareness. This book is more than just a recounting of games and seasons; it's a story of perseverance, growth, and the power of belief in oneself. With detailed accounts, personal reflections, and insights from those who know him best, *Story of DeMar DeRozan* is a must-read for basketball fans, aspiring athletes, and anyone who believes in the power of determination. Don't miss out on this inspiring journey. Grab your copy today and witness the relentless drive that defines DeMar DeRozan's path to basketball greatness.

Download or read book Demar Derozan written by Holden Sanchez and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-07-14 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Overcoming Obstacles: From Adversity to Achievement" is the inspiring story of NBA star DeMar DeRozan. This compelling narrative delves into DeRozan's life, tracing his journey from a challenging childhood in Compton, California, to becoming one of the most respected players in professional basketball. Through perseverance, hard work, and a relentless spirit, DeRozan has faced and conquered numerous obstacles, both on and off the court. This book not only highlights his athletic achievements but also his courage in addressing mental health issues, making him a role model for many. "Overcoming Obstacles" is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Download or read book DeMar DeRozan Story written by Danielle Biographix and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-03-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Chicago Bulls' Star Shooting Guard, DeMar DeRozan! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! One of many riveting reads in the Basketball Biography Books series. The Heart of a Raptor: From the Courts to Glory explores the incredible journey of DeMar DeRozan, one of basketball's most gifted scorers and the heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors for nearly a decade. DeMar burst onto the scene after being drafted 9th overall in 2009, quickly establishing himself as a premier offensive threat with a ruthless ability to put the ball in the basket, drawing comparisons to Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady's scoring prowess. For nine memorable seasons in Toronto, DeRozan's grit, determination and loyalty to the franchise made him a fan favorite as he helped lead the Raptors' rise to prominence in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan's talents have been recognized with six NBA All-Star selections to date. But his impact has extended beyond the NBA hardwood, representing USA Basketball and playing a vital role on the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic teams. Get this compelling basketball biography today to experience DeMar DeRozan's inspirational story of perseverance, growth and success at the highest level! Here is a preview of what's inside: - Childhood and Early Life - High School Dominance - One-and-Done at USC - NBA Career Beginning - Getting Drafted, Rookie Year, Developing His Game - Teaming Up with Kyle Lowry, Rudy Gay Era, First All-Star Nod - Playoff Battles, Injuries, Lowry's Ascent - Breaking Through to the Conference Finals - Becoming an Elite Scorer - International Tournaments - Personal Life and Basketball Impact - DeRozan's Legacy and What's Next An excerpt: The shooting guard position demands a special combination of skills - elite scoring ability, pinpoint shooting, physicality, court vision and defensive tenacity. Throughout NBA history, the league's greatest shooting guards have embodied these traits... From Jerry West and Earl Monroe to Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade, the truly transcendent players at this position have been multi-faceted offensive weapons and leaders. A rare few have had the scoring prowess and mental toughness to carry franchises on their backs. DeMar DeRozan is among the modern greats to distinguish himself in this mold. His journey began in the L.A. playgrounds and has included stardom at USC, becoming a cornerstone of the Raptors' renaissance, and representing his country with pride and success... Grab your copy now to dive into DeMar DeRozan's remarkable basketball story - the rise, the adversity, the triumphs and the heart of this legendary Raptor!

Download or read book DeMar DeRozan written by Jackson Carter and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2022-04-10 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From a childhood in Compton, sharpened by the pain of seeing friends die too soon, to finding his way to the Raptors, this is the inspiring tale of how DeMar DeRozan became the player he is today. DeMar's journey through basketball is a lesson in how hard work and dedication can lead to success-on and off the court. Through hard work, focus, and dedication, DeMar DeRozan has become one of the best players in the NBA. This biography tells his story, from college to the pros, from his early years in Compton to becoming a star with the Toronto Raptors to the dramatic ending of his time in Toronto to his bucket list-defying trade to the Spurs, and finally his resurgence in Chicago.

Download or read book Giannis written by Mirin Fader and published by Hachette Books. This book was released on 2021-08-10 with total page 417 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s extraordinary rise from poverty in Athens, Greece, to superstardom in America with the Milwaukee Bucks—becoming one of the most transcendent players in history and an NBA Champion—from award-winning basketball reporter and feature writer at The Ringer Mirin Fader. As the face of the NBA’s new world order, Giannis Antetokounmpo has overcome unfathomable obstacles to become a symbol of hope for people all over the world; the personification of the American Dream. But his backstory remains largely untold. Fader unearths new information about the childhood that shaped “The Greek Freak”—from sleeping side by side with his brothers to selling trinkets on the street with his family to the racism he experienced. Antetokounmpo grew up in an era when Golden Dawn, Greece’s far-right, anti-immigrant party, patrolled his neighborhood, and his status as an illegal immigrant largely prevented him from playing for the country’s top clubs, making his NBA rise all the more improbable. Fader tells a deeply human story of how an unknown, skinny, Black Greek teen, who played in the country’s lowest pro division and was seen as a draft gamble, transformed his body and his game into MVP material. Antetokounmpo’s story has been framed as a feel-good narrative in which everyone has embraced him—watching him grow up, sign a five-year supermax contract extension worth $228 million, and lead the underdog Bucks to the NBA Championship in 2021. Giannis reveals a more nuanced story: how lonely and isolated he felt, adjusting to America and the NBA early in his career; the complexity of grappling with his Black and Greek identities; how he is so hard on himself and his shortcomings—a drive that fuels him every day; and the responsibility he feels to be a nurturing role model for his younger brothers. Fader illustrates a more vulnerable star than most people know, a person who has evolved triumphantly into all of his roles: father, brother, son, teammate, and global icon. **Instant New York Times Bestseller, Los Angeles Times Bestseller, Wall Street Journal Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, Publishers Weekly Bestseller** **Mirin Fader Selected as the 2021 Sports Media Author of the Year by The Big Lead** **The Sports Librarian’s Best of 2022 – Sports Books**

Download or read book NBA 75 written by Dave Zarum and published by Firefly Books. This book was released on 2020-10 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most iconic moments and stories of the NBA. In NBA 75, sportswriter and basketball super fan Dave Zarum tells the story of the NBA, all 75 years -- from its early barnstorming days to the multibillion-dollar sports league it is today. Readers are treated to all the biggest moments and greatest superstars, with over 75 stories ranging from Jerry West's 33-win streak Lakers, through Jordan's repeat three-peat Bulls, to Steph Curry and the 73-win Warriors and beyond. But this retrospective doesn't shy away from the league's controversies, covering its struggles with racial bigotry, Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis, Len Bias' tragic draft-night death and the cocaine-fuelled late seventies when the Finals were broadcast on tape delay. Each story is fully illustrated with iconic photos and accompanied by stat boxes and side stories of some of the Association's more curious and overlooked moments. Some of the events covered in NBA 75: 1946: The first professional basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies 1969: The legendary duels between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell 1976: The merger of the ABA and NBA 1980: The rivalry of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson 1993: Air Jordan and his Bulls dynasty 2006: Kobe Bryant scores 81 points 2010: LeBron James makes his Miami decision 2016: Steph Curry and the Warriors blow a 3-1 lead to lose the NBA Finals. NBA 75 is the definitive guide to the history of the NBA -- perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the league they love or simply catch up on what they've been missing. With the 75th anniversary of the NBA in 2021, now is the perfect time to add it to your collection.

Download or read book The NBA in Black and White written by Ray Scott and published by Seven Stories Press. This book was released on 2022-06-28 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A memoir of hard lessons learned in the racially segregated and sometimes outright racist NBA of the early ‘60s by celebrated NBA player and the first Black Coach of the Year, Ray Scott. Introduced by Earl "the Pearl" Monroe. “There’s a basic insecurity with Black guys my size,” Scott writes. “We can’t hide and everybody turns to stare when we walk down the street. … Whites believe that their culture is superior to African-American culture. ... We don’t accept many of [their] answers, but we have to live with them.” Ray Scott was part of the early wave of Black NBA players like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who literally changed how the game of professional basketball is played—leading to the tremendously popular financial blockbuster the NBA is today. Scott was a celebrated 6’9” forward/center after being chosen by the Detroit Pistons as the #4 pick of the 1961 NBA draft, and then again after he was named head coach of the Pistons in October 1972, winning Coach of the Year in the spring of 1974—the first black man ever to capture that honor. Scott’s is a story of quiet persistence, hard work, and, most of all, respect. He credits the mentorship of NBA player and coach Earl Lloyd, and talks about fellow Philly native Wilt Chamberlain and friends Muhammad Ali and Aretha Franklin, among many others. Ray has lived through one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history, especially the time of assassinations of so many Black leaders at the end of the 1960s. Through it all, his voice remains quiet and measured, transcending all the sorrows with his steadiness and positive attitude. This is his story, told in collaboration with the great basketball writer, former college player and CBA coach Charley Rosen.

Download or read book The Book of Basketball written by Bill Simmons and published by ESPN. This book was released on 2010-12-07 with total page 754 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The NBA according to The Sports Guy—now updated with fresh takes on LeBron, the Celtics, and more! Foreword by Malcom Gladwell • “The work of a true fan . . . it might just represent the next phase of sports commentary.”—The Atlantic Bill Simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining basketball addict known to millions as ESPN’s The Sports Guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA. From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball. Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.

Download or read book Boys Among Men written by Jonathan P. D. Abrams and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores the trend of teenage basketball stars skipping college and making the transition to playing professionally, resulting in the 2005 age limit instituted by the NBA, mandating that all players must attend college or another developmental program for at least a year.

Download or read book Ocean State written by Stewart O'Nan and published by Grove Press. This book was released on 2022-03-15 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Set in a working-class town on the Rhode Island coast, O’Nan’s latest is a crushing, beautifully written, and profoundly compelling novel about sisters, mothers, and daughters, and the terrible things love makes us do. In the first line of Ocean State, we learn that a high school student was murdered, and we find out who did it. The story that unfolds from there with incredible momentum is thus one of the build-up to and fall-out from the murder, told through the alternating perspectives of the four women at its heart. Angel, the murderer, Carol, her mother, and Birdy, the victim, all come alive on the page as they converge in a climax both tragic and inevitable. Watching over it all is the retrospective testimony of Angel’s younger sister Marie, who reflects on that doomed autumn of 2009 with all the wisdom of hindsight. Angel and Birdy love the same teenage boy, frantically and single mindedly, and are compelled by the intensity of their feelings to extremes neither could have anticipated. O’Nan’s expert hand paints a fully realized portrait of these women, but also weaves a compelling and heartbreaking story of working-class life in Ashaway, Rhode Island. Propulsive, moving, and deeply rendered, Ocean State is a masterful novel by one of our greatest storytellers.

Download or read book The Story of No Limit Records written by Jim Whiting and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-09-29 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Percy "Master P." Miller came out of one of the toughest slums in New Orleans to found No Limit Records in Richmond, California, on a shoestring budget in 1991. Master P sold his first releases out of the trunk of his car, but he always believed in himself. Thanks to his hard work, within a few years No Limit was one of the most successful hip-hop record labels in the country and Master P was a multi-millionaire. Master P couldn't maintain this level of success, however, and in 2003 the label went bankrupt. Master P began a new label and kept going. In recent years, he has attempted to change the focus of his music to make it more positive, and started Take a Stand Records for that purpose. Now calling himself P. Miller, the rapper/entrepreneur remains active in the music business and also works to help others.

Download or read book Unguarded written by Scottie Pippen and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2022-10-04 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An unflinching memoir from the six-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Hall of Famer, revealing how Scottie Pippen, the youngest of twelve, overcame two family tragedies and universal disregard by college scouts to become an essential component of the greatest basketball dynasty of the last fifty years.

Download or read book The Second Season written by Emily Adrian and published by Blackstone Publishing. This book was released on 2021-07-27 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ruth Devon starred for Georgetown Basketball back in college—until she injured her knee, married her coach, and found a new career calling games on the radio. Twenty years later, Ruth and her now-ex-husband, Lester, are two of the most famous faces in sports media. When Lester decides to retire from the announcers’ booth, Ruth goes after his job. If she gets it, she will be the first woman to call NBA games on national television. For now, Ruth is reporting from the sideline of the NBA finals, immersed in the high-pressure spectacle of the post-season. But in a deserted locker room at halftime, Ruth makes a discovery that shatters her vision of her future. Instantly, she is torn between the two things she has always wanted most: the game and motherhood. With warmth and incisive observation, Adrian brings to life the obsessions, emotions, and drama of fandom. The Second Season asks why, how, and whom we watch, while offering a rich and complicated account of motherhood, marriage, and ambition. Adrian’s character study of Ruth Devon illuminates a beautiful basketball mind—and the struggle of a woman who claims authority in a male-dominated world.

Download or read book Catch 22 written by Rick Vaive and published by Vintage Canada. This book was released on 2021-10-26 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER Rick Vaive sets the record straight as he tells his story of turmoil in Toronto's Ballard years (and with Don Cherry's Mississauga Ice Dogs), growing up in an environment filled with alcohol and alcoholism, and his own struggles and battles. In the storied history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, no player scored fifty goals in a season until Rick Vaive in 1981-82--and he did it three years in a row. So why isn't his number 22 hanging from the rafters of the Leafs' rink and his name as revered in Leafs lore as more recent stars like Gilmour, Sundin and Clark? You could blame it on a team that lost far more than it won. You could blame Harold Ballard and his erratic ownership. You could blame the fans, the media... but Rick Vaive doesn't blame anybody. Sometimes, life just doesn't go your way. Growing up in a household plagued by alcoholism, the gifted young hockey player took shelter in the company of his grandmother and a blind and severely disabled uncle. Rick learned quickly that there are more valuable things in life than hockey. Even after his promising coaching career stopped dead when it ran into Don Cherry in Mississauga--one of the worst seasons in Ontario junior hockey history--he still doesn't point fingers. Life is too sweet for regrets, but learning that lesson can be one hell of a ride.

Download or read book What Made Maddy Run written by Kate Fagan and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2017-08-01 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The heartbreaking story of college athlete Madison Holleran, whose life and death by suicide reveal the struggle of young people suffering from mental illness today in this #1 New York Times Sports and Fitness bestseller *Instant New York Times Bestseller* #1 New York Times Monthly Sports and Fitness bestseller If you scrolled through the Instagram feed of 19-year-old Maddy Holleran, you would see a perfect life: a freshman at an Ivy League school, recruited for the track team, who was also beautiful, popular, and fiercely intelligent. This was a girl who succeeded at everything she tried, and who was only getting started. But when Maddy began her long-awaited college career, her parents noticed something changed. Previously indefatigable Maddy became withdrawn, and her thoughts centered on how she could change her life. In spite of thousands of hours of practice and study, she contemplated transferring from the school that had once been her dream. When Maddy's dad, Jim, dropped her off for the first day of spring semester, she held him a second longer than usual. That would be the last time Jim would see his daughter. WHAT MADE MADDY RUN began as a piece that Kate Fagan, a columnist for espnW, wrote about Maddy's life. What started as a profile of a successful young athlete whose life ended in suicide became so much larger when Fagan started to hear from other college athletes also struggling with mental illness. This is the story of Maddy Holleran's life, and her struggle with depression, which also reveals the mounting pressures young people, and college athletes in particular, face to be perfect, especially in an age of relentless connectivity and social media saturation.