Best Basketball Books of 2025

This book, titled "Mental Toughness For Young Athletes: Eight Proven 5-Minute Mindset Exercises For Kids And Teens Who Play Competitive Sports", is a unique guide to help young athletes overcome in-game stress and sports performance anxiety. Written by Moses and Troy Horne, the book offers valuable insights from a 15-year-old elite athlete and his father, who have gone through the journey of finding mental toughness. They share the winning formula that they found through personal conversations with sports icons, and offer eight proven 5-minute mindset exercises for young athletes. This book is a must-read for parents and coaches of young athletes who want to help them succeed in competitive sports.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is a captivating memoir by the late Los Angeles Laker superstar, Kobe Bryant, in which he shares his vast knowledge and understanding of the game of basketball. Bryant's detailed approach and the steps he took to prepare mentally and physically to excel are revealed in his own words, providing readers with fascinating granular detail as he breaks down specific plays and match-ups from throughout his career. The combination of Bryant's narrative and Hall of Fame photographer Andrew D. Bernstein's stunning photographs make The Mamba Mentality an unprecedented look behind the curtain at the career of one of the world's most celebrated and fascinating athletes.

The biography of LeBron James, written by Jeff Benedict, is a must-read for basketball enthusiasts and those interested in inspiring life stories. Based on extensive research and over 250 interviews, the book tells the story of how a child from Akron, Ohio, overcame overwhelming odds to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time. It also highlights James' philanthropy, political activism, and Hollywood ventures. The book is a vivid and captivating account of LeBron's epic journey, and it deserves a place on every bookshelf.

Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable is a motivational self-help book by Tim Grover that reveals the secrets to achieving total mental and physical dominance. Grover has trained legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, and now he shares his knowledge with readers. The book emphasizes the importance of being relentless, thriving under pressure, and never giving up. Grover also provides previously untold stories and unparalleled insights into the psyches of the most successful athletes of our time. Overall, Relentless is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their full potential and achieve greatness.

Wake Up With Purpose! by Sister Jean and Seth Davis is a remarkable memoir that is part life story, part philosophy text, and part spiritual guide. Sister Jean shares her wisdom, life lessons, and humor that she has gained in her 102 years of living. The book covers a lot of history and universal themes that connect us all, making it a must-read for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. As you read about Sister Jean's fascinating life, you'll feel like you're chatting with her in her office, just like Loyola students do. Wake Up With Purpose! is a timeless book that will inspire readers to live a meaningful life.

'Shoot Your Shot: A Sport-Inspired Guide To Living Your Best Life' is a book that identifies the key principles applied by some of the world's most elite basketball players to help readers navigate through life, accomplish goals, and realize dreams. Vernon Brundage Jr., a former standout basketball player, provides an entertaining and unique reading experience while equipping readers with proven tools for success. This book is suitable for everyone regardless of age, gender, background, or standing in life. Overall, 'Shoot Your Shot' is an excellent read, and its unique approach to success principles makes it stand out from other books in the same category.

Kenny "The Jet" Smith, the superstar basketball commentator and two-time NBA champion, has published a revealing and humorous memoir named "Talk of Champions: Stories of the People Who Made Me." Smith shares his experiences and stories about his playing and broadcasting careers, focusing on the star players, coaches, and mentors who inspired him along the way. The memoir includes engaging and insightful chapters about the extraordinary people who taught him invaluable life lessons, including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kobe Bryant, among others. Smith's memoir is a powerful and inspiring read, offering a candid glimpse inside the rarified world of elite sports and broadcasting.

Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks is an instant New York Times bestseller and a selection on Barack Obama's summer reading list. Chris Herring takes readers inside the locker room, executive boardrooms, and onto the court for the key moments that lifted the club to new heights, and the ones that threatened to send everything crashing down in spectacular fashion. The author's original reporting and interviews with more than two hundred people reveal the full story of the franchise in the midst of the NBA's golden era. Herring covers the Knicks the way Bob Woodward and... Blood in the Garden is an eye-opening portrait that tells the full story of the iconic club through its origin, evolution, and eventual demise.

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson is a captivating memoir that provides a rare insight into the mind of one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. Jackson's approach to leadership is based on mindfulness, authenticity, and selfless teamwork, which he developed through his exploration of humanistic psychology, Native American philosophy, and Zen meditation. He shares his experiences of managing and inspiring some of the most talented players in the world, including Michael Jordan, to embrace selflessness and trust in one another. This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in sports, leadership, and personal growth.

Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court by John Wooden is a national bestseller that presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden. In this book, Coach Wooden shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. He offers lessons and wisdom learned throughout his career at UCLA, and life as a dedicated husband, father, and teacher. This book is an inspirational classic that provides simple, immutable truths that touch nothing but net. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for motivation and inspiration.