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 John Wall written by Jon M Fishman and published by Lerner + ORM. This book was released on 2015-08-01 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Wall's NBA dream came true when he was chosen by the Washington Wizards as the first overall pick in the 2010 draft. Coming in, John knew the Wizards had a losing record. Despite John's best efforts, they still struggled to win games for a few years. But by 2014-2015, the Wizards were finally a winning team, and John had become one of the best point guards in the game. Read about John's journey from his childhood in North Carolina to NBA stardom.

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 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 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 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 Reuben Nisenfeld and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2020-03-07 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspirational Story of Houston Rockets' New Superstar Russell Westbrook! Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Early Life and Childhood College Years at UCLA Westbrook's NBA Career Russell Westbrook's Personal Life Russell's Impact on Basketball and Beyond Westbrook's Legacy Tags: Russell Westbrook biography, houston rockets basketball, oklahoma city thunder, nick collison, paul george, kevin durant, james harden, lebron james, kyrie irving, stephen curry

Download or read book Dream Team written by Jack McCallum and published by Ballantine Books. This book was released on 2012-07-10 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Acclaimed sports journalist Jack McCallum delivers the untold story of the greatest team ever assembled: the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team. As a writer for Sports Illustrated, McCallum enjoyed a courtside seat for the most exciting basketball spectacle on earth, covering the Dream Team from its inception to the gold medal ceremony in Barcelona. Drawing on fresh interviews with the players, McCallum provides the definitive account of the Dream Team phenomenon. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial selection process. He takes us inside the team’s Olympic suites for late-night card games and bull sessions where superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird debated the finer points of basketball. And he narrates a riveting account of the legendary intrasquad scrimmage that pitted the Dream Teamers against one another in what may have been the greatest pickup game in history. In the twenty years since the Dream Team first captivated the world, its mystique has only grown. Dream Team vividly re-creates the moment when a once-in-a-millennium group of athletes came together and changed the future of sports—one perfectly executed fast break at a time. With a new Afterword by the author. “The absolute definitive work on the subject, a perfectly wonderful once-you-pick-it-up-you-won’t-be-able-to-put-it-down book.”—The Boston Globe “An Olympic hoops dream.”—Newsday “What makes this volume a must-read for nostalgic hoopsters are the robust portraits of the outsize personalities of the participants, all of whom were remarkably open with McCallum, both then and now.”—Booklist (starred review)

Download or read book Kemba Walker written by Reuben Nisenfeld and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2020-03-07 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspirational Story of the Boston Celtics' Star Point Guard Kemba Walker! Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career Walker's College Career at UConn: Spitfire Freshman, Sophomore Season, and the Miracle Run in Junior Year NBA Career Walker's Rise to Alpha Status First All-Star Season, Second All-Star Appearance Elite Status and Final Season in Charlotte, The Move to Boston Kemba's Personal LIfe Walker's Impact, Legacy, and Future Tags: Kemba Walker Bio, Kemba Walker biography, Kemba Walker basketball, Charlotte Bobcats basketball, Charlotte Hornets Basketball, Boston Celtics basketball, Nicolas Batum, Isaiah Thomas, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, d'angelo russell

Download or read book Kemba Walker the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Most Explosive Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2017-05-16 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Charlotte Hornets' Star Point Guard Kemba Walker! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Kemba Walker: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Explosive Point Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's most dynamic point guards, Kemba Walker. Since entering the league in 2011, Walker has become the face of the Charlotte Hornets franchise. Walker has evolved his game every single year to become one of the most lethal scorers in the game today. Statistically, he has improved his field goal percentages to mark that of an elite point guard. It's hard to believe that just a few seasons ago, Walker struggled from behind the three-point arc. That's no longer the case and his statistical improvements are simply a mark of his dedication to the game. In this book, we'll learn more about Kemba Walker's journey into the NBA, his impact on the game, and his growing legacy as one of the best offensive point guards to grace the courts in the modern era of basketball. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career Walker's College Career at UConn: Spitfire Freshman, Sophomore Season, and the Miracle Run in Junior Year NBA Career Walker's Rise to Alpha Status Kemba's Personal LIfe Walker's Impact, Legacy, and Future An excerpt from the book: NBA eras are defined by the players and positions that dominate the landscape during those days. Centers and big men dominated the early years of the NBA with mountains such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becoming the staple names back in the 60's and 70's. The 80's had its share of centers that dominated the league, but the highlight of those days were perimeter players such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. While the 90's also relied mostly on centers such as Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing, among others, the earlier part of the new millennium saw the birth of the NBA's reliance on versatile forwards such as Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James. The NBA had only a few elite guards during that era. But there has been a drastic change since the late 2000's up to today's modern NBA era. The league has tended towards relying mostly on point guards, but not for their ability to run plays or to make passes. This was not the time when teams relied on excellent passers such as Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd to make life easier for scorers waiting in the wings. This is an era where teams rely on point guards to do nearly everything-scoring, passing, and leading. The NBA trend of relying on point guards started when Chris Paul was leading the New Orleans Hornets in virtually every category back in the late 2000's. Then came the time when Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook broke onto the scene to wow crowds and fellow players alike with their jaw-dropping athletic abilities and with their penchant for doing everything on the floor. Rose would become the youngest MVP in league history, but has since been marred by injuries. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook has transformed into a walking triple-double machine. Tags: Kemba Walker Bio, Kemba Walker basketball, Charlotte Bobcats basketball, Charlotte Hornets Basketball, Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, Jeremy Lamb, Al Jefferson, Isaiah Thomas, John Wall, Kyrie Irving

Download or read book Jason Kidd the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball s Greatest Point Guards written by Clayton Geoffreys and published by . This book was released on 2016-06-21 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspiring Story of the Legendary Point Guard Jason Kidd! Read on your PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet or Kindle device! In Jason Kidd: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Point Guards, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's premier point guards, Jason Kidd. Jason Kidd was easily one of the best point guards to play the game of basketball throughout the 2000s. With an extraordinary ability to pass the ball at precisely the right time, Kidd was like Steve Nash in that he made the teammates around him fundamentally better. Being an NBA Champion (with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011), ten-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team member, Jason Kidd's passing and rebounding abilities made him feared by opponents. He corralled triple-doubles years before flashy athletic point guards like Russell Westbrook began doing so. Read on to learn Kidd's inspiring story. Here is a preview of what is inside this book: Childhood and Early Life High School Career College Career Jason Kidd's NBA Career Getting Drafted Rookie Campaign First All-Star Season Tensions in Dallas, the Trade to Phoenix, Fresh Start with the Suns, First Playoff Appearance First Full Season with Phoenix, Igniting the Scorching Suns Shortened Season, Another First Round Exit Breaking Through to the Second Round Final Season in Phoenix The Trade to New Jersey, Reaching the NBA Finals Second Consecutive Finals Appearance Teaming Up with Vince Carter Leading a Trio with Carter and Jefferson Final Stretch in New Jersey, the Return to Dallas Contending as a Mav First and Only NBA Championship Final Season with Dallas Stop at the Big Apple, and Retirement Coaching Career USA National Basketball Team Career Personal Life Impact, Legacy, and Future An excerpt from the book: As far as ranking the top point guards in the history of the NBA is concerned, no list would be truly complete without Jason Kidd somewhere on top of all of the other playmakers the league has seen. Why not? He is an NBA champion, a 10-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA Team member, a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, and a five-time assist leader. On paper alone you would see how valuable of a point guard Kidd was in his 19-year NBA stint. However, there were also times when he was not truly befitting of being called a historically elite point guard because of all the criticisms and shortcomings he has had as a player. He came into the league with virtually no jump shot and a very minimal offensive repertoire. He has had struggles with coaches and even, for a while, lacked the work ethic needed to be elite. And, for most of his career, he was never the leader of a championship team. But, for all those criticisms and downsides to his game, Jason Kidd was always a leader that made his other teammates great by doing everything else on the court. He always made it a point to find teammates because scoring the ball himself was never really his top priority. His ability to rebound the ball at a high level for a point guard made sure he could trigger fast-break opportunities at a quick rate. And his ability to defend every guard position earned him the reputation of being an elite defender in his prime. Kidd's vast array of skills made him a ray of sunshine to a franchise because he always lifted his teammates up in every way possible. Tags: Jason Kidd Bio, Jason Kidd basketball, New Jersey Nets basketball, Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Gary Payton, Ray Allen, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, Richard Jefferson

Download or read book West by West written by Jonathan Coleman and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2011-10-19 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: He is one of basketball's towering figures: "Mr. Clutch," who mesmerized his opponents and fans. The coach who began the Lakers' resurgence in the 1970s. The general manager who helped bring "Showtime" to Los Angeles, creating a championship-winning force that continues to this day. Now, for the first time, the legendary Jerry West tells his story-from his tough childhood in West Virginia, to his unbelievable college success at West Virginia University, his 40-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his relationships with NBA legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Unsparing in its self-assessment and honesty, West by West is far more than a sports memoir: it is a profound confession and a magnificent inspiration.

Download or read book Stephen Curry The Story of One of the Best Basketball Shooters and Point Guards of All Time written by James Madison and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2019-03-16 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stephen Curry is a professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors and is often regarded by many as the greatest shooter of all time. His three-point-shooting ability has helped revolutionize and inspire teams to use the three-point shot as core winning strategy. He is a 3-time NBA champion, a two-time MVP, a five-time NBA All-Star, and player who is a role model for kids across the world. His story is full of struggles, hard work, and dedication and stands as a testament to people across the world that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. Discover his amazing story and accomplishments and learn what it means to be a champion, a role model and symbol for greatness.

Download or read book Hard Work written by Roy Williams and published by Algonquin Books. This book was released on 2011-01-01 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the most respected basketball coaches in the country relates the story of his life, from his turbulent childhood to the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship in 2009, and discusses the coaching philosophy that has made him successful.

Download or read book Fast Break written by Mike Lupica and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2016-08-23 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the #1 bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw comes a feel-good basketball tale reminiscent of The Blind Side. Forced to live on his own after his mom dies and her boyfriend abandons him, 12-year-old Jayson does whatever it takes to get by. He will do anything to avoid the foster care system. He manages to get away with his deception until the day he gets caught stealing a new pair of basketball sneakers. Game over. Within a day a social worker places him with a family from the other side of town, the Lawtons. New home, new school, new teammates. Jayson, at first, is combatative, testing the Lawtons' patience at every turn. He wants out, yet the Lawtons refuse to take the bait. But not everyone in Jayson's new life is so ready to trust him. It's on Jayson to believe that he deserves a better life than the one he once had. The ultimate prize if he can? A trip to play in the state finals at Cameron Indoor Stadium–home to the Duke Blue Devils and launching pad to his dream of playing bigtime college ball. Getting there will be a journey that reaches far beyond the basketball court. "Eager fans will find this a slam-dunk. A must-purchase."–Booklist "Lupica's announcer-like delivery will have you breathless, on the edge of your seat, cheering."--Florida Times-Union

Download or read book Steve Nash written by Reuben Nisenfeld and published by . This book was released on 2020-03-07 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn the Inspirational Story of Basketball Superstar and NBA Legend Steve Nash! 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 Tags: steve nash fitness, la lakers, steve nash dunk, grant hill, dallas mavericks, phoenix suns, steve nash draft, steve nash shooting form, dirk nowitzki, shaq

Download or read book The Capital of Basketball written by John McNamara and published by Georgetown University Press. This book was released on 2019-11-03 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The celebration of Washington D.C. basketball is long overdue. The D.C. metro area stands second to none in its contributions to the game. Countless figures who have had a significant impact on the sport over the years have roots in the region, including E.B. Henderson, the first African-American certified to teach public school physical education, and Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to take the court in an actual NBA game. The city's Spingarn High School produced two players – Elgin Baylor and Dave Bing – recognized among the NBA’s 50 greatest at the League’s 50th anniversary celebration. No other high school in the country can make that claim.These figures and many others are chronicled in this book, the first-ever comprehensive look at the great high school players, teams and coaches in the D.C. metropolitan area. Based on more than 150 interviews, The Capital of Basketball is first and foremost a book about basketball. But in discussing the trends and evolution of the game, McNamara also uncovers the turmoil in the lives of the players and area residents as they dealt with prejudice, educational inequities, politics, and the ways the area has changed through the years.