Showing titles in Sports & Recreation

Athletes and the sports they play are popular across generations. Black athletes throughout time have become legends in their sports. They help shape the game, create change, and continue to break barriers in sports where they've been historically underrepresented. Their talent and passion inspire present and future players. Find out more about athletes such as Simone Manuel, Satchel Paige, and Maya Moore and celebrate their achievements in sports.

LeBron James is the shy son of a teenage mother, both wandering, constantly searching for a home and fighting to survive. When LeBron s immense talent is finally discovered, he seizes the opportunity and changes his life forever. This is the heartfelt story of a young boy s incredible rise to glory to become the world s best basketball player through the power of family, friendship and love. Rick Leddy is an author, cartoonist, poet, and blogger. His columns have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and The Orange County Register. His regular comic features appeared in Box Office Magazine and ...

The big night arrived. This was it. The final. Earlier, the team had been greeted by the French president in the changing room. The mood was jubilant. There was a feeling in the air that they were going all the way. When the game started, his adrenaline was pumping hard.He was happy. Happy to play in the world’s most important game. He was happy because he knew he was there to make a difference. He was there to win.When he closed his eyes, he could see the blue garage door dotted with the marks of old soccer balls. The blue door had been his soccer training ground all those years ago when...

No one expected the tall skinny kid in the French village to stick with basketball long, even less thought it would be his career, and it's safe to say only one person truly believed he'd be an All Star player in the NBA. Rudy Gobert tells the story of Rudy Gobert's rise to one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. From his time traveling through the French Basketball Club scene to getting a hard dose of reality in the professional game, you will learn about his experiences and how they turned him into the dominant player he is today!

Many of us know what it is like to be doubted. To have people think you aren’t quite capable of doing the job you were brought in to do, but few have shattered those expectations quite like James Harden. Underrated and overlooked throughout his career, people have always doubted Harden’s ability to become an elite player in the NBA. He has never let any of that stop his work ethic and tenacity, and in doing so, he has put himself as one of the world’s top players. In James Harden, you will learn the behind-the-scenes story of an athlete who overcame obstacles to reach his dreams.

As the Golden State Warriors came to the podium James Wiseman finally allowed himself to realize that he had finally made it, his dream had finally come true; he had made it to the NBA. It's easy to see a player like James Wiseman and all of the physical gifts and abilities, and think life has been easy for him. In reality, James has to battle through countless setbacks. But through it all, he has kept his head held high and kept working towards his goal and dream of making it to the NBA. Be inspired by James Wiseman's path to the NBA in this fast-paced biography!

As he sat in the library studying during the beautiful summer days on the Clemson campus, while the rest of the campus was either at home or enjoying the day, Deshaun knew that he was destined to become something special. This wasn't the first time, or the last time, Deshaun used his work ethic to lead himself on a path to success. Learn the story of how one of the most explosive Quarterbacks in NFL history overcame adversity and injuries to put himself on a path to the Hall of Fame.

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 ...

As the lights came down as the last note of the national anthem rung out, Jared Goff had to take a second to realize just where he was. Even as a child dreaming of becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL, he didn’t expect to find himself as the starting quarterback in the Super Bowl, but here he was. This dream would push him to put in countless hours in the weight room and on the field. He would overcome obstacles and setbacks to achieve his dream. Through it all he stayed persistent and kept his eye on his dream, to become the best Quarterback in the NFL. In Jared Goff we will take ...

It's easy to see an NBA All-Star and to think their life has been one big cakewalk filled with fame and fortune. But when you dive deeper into Jimmy Butler's history you can see all the adversity and hardship he has overcome. In Jimmy Butler, we follow the unlikely superstar's path from sleeping on friends' couches to becoming one of the NBA's most dominant players.

Some stories need to be told. The story of Jordan Poole is one such story. It’s a story about a boy who has overcome extraordinary odds in his pursuit of his dream. Even before college, Jordan Poole was already living the dream of so many young basketball players all over the world: playing in front of millions while representing your country on the biggest stage in sports. Jordan Poole is the inspiring story of how an unlikely point guard rose to an unlikely place in college basketball history. After making a game-winning shot in his first game with Michigan, Jordan Poole became a ...

It's easy to see the dominant athlete that Kawhi Leonard has become and think it was always this way. But that's not the case. Kawhi never fit the stereotypical profile of an NBA Star. He didn't fit the mold of a classic guard or forward and his reserved personality came off as combative and uninterested. Kawhi has built his own brand, and he's done it in his own style. A fiercely loyal and quiet star he is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where stars are all over social media. In Kawhi Leonard we go deeper to see what drives the NBA's most dominant player. From his father being ...

"Adversity introduces a man to himself" is a quote that is often used to help motivate people through hard times. Donovan Mitchell has been through enough adversity that he truly understands himself. Through countless struggles and injuries, Donovan Mitchell is a basketball star who was written off by most of the "experts." Whether it was because he was too short or couldn't shoot well enough, it always seemed like there was a reason for people to doubt him. He didn't let these factors discourage him though. Instead of caving to the pressure, he used it to help turn himself into one of the ...

No one would have assumed the little kid play in the streets and parks of St. Louis would become one of the top Running Backs in the NFL. From his time in St. Louis dominating the high school sports scene in both football and track to playing football for some of the most storied programs in all of football, Ezekiel Elliott tells the story of how Ezekiel Elliott overcame the odds and adversity to emerge as one of the NFL’s most explosive running backs.

The definition of a man isn't how many times he gets knocked down, it's how many times he can get back up. No one knows this better than Ben Simmons. After dealing persevering through challenge after challenge Ben had finally reached his dream, to play in the NBA. Unfortunately, this dream was postponed due to a major injury. Ben didn't let this change his focus on becoming one of the NBA's fastest rising stars. In Ben Simmons you will learn the story of how Ben beat the odds to make it to the NBA despite starting a world away.

As he stood at the center of the ring after just defeating Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury knew his dream, and destiny had finally been fulfilled, he was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. In Tyson Fury we will follow the Gypsy King’s path from his Irish Traveller roots, through being snubbed for a chance at Olympic glory and through the difficult trials and tribulations that he was forced to overcome to eventually claim the belt he desired his whole life.

Throughout his whole athletic career people have waited for Russell Westbrook to fail. Whether it was his transition from College to the NBA or from a role player to a star, the odds have always been stacked against Westbrook, despite this, he has emerged as one of the top players in the NBA. In Russell Westrbook learn the inspiring story of how he overcame the odds, use tragedy as motivation, and turned himself into a household name and the leader of one of the NBA's best small market teams!

From high school football sensation to Georgia's starting quarterback, Justin Fields is a story of adversity that turned into success. His life story, packed with faith and grit, is a testament to humility and hard work and proves that anything is possible with perseverance. Fields have all the tools to be a franchise quarterback for years to come-the arm, the smarts, the poise, and the mindset. In this book, you will read about everything from his tragic childhood that molded him into a man of faith to the quarterback gurus he has been connected with since he was a teenager--which is when ...

Imagine, if you can, growing up in Cameroon, a soccer-crazy country that lies at the junction of Central and West Africa, where “the Indomitable Lions” (the national team) are always the talk of the town. Yet, your first passion is to play volleyball and maybe move overseas to Europe to play as a pro. Then, a former NBA star spots you and, at the age of 16, suddenly, you’re on your way to a foreign land where playing basketball gives high hopes to many. Indeed, this is the story of the Cameroonian, Joel Embiid, including his success in the NBA and the world, and overcoming obstacles.

Would you be hard-pressed to name a famous athlete or football player who hails from “the Roughrider State” of North Dakota? Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, is one solid choice for sure. A product of Bismarck’s Century High School and a star with the North Dakota State University Bison in Fargo, Wentz was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the second overall pick. Philly fans are notoriously tough to please, but they perked up when Wentz claimed, “I’m a competitive son of a gun. I don’t like losing. I want to be the best out there....