Curious what your favorite NBA player’s favorite books are? Look no further. Here is a list of the top basketball players’ most-loved reads.
Lying on your bed, scrolling through your phone for the latest NBA news is the worst thing you can do at this moment. Nothing is going on.
All the basketball accounts you follow are just regurgitating one another.
It’s the same news over and over again. And how many Kobe, Jordan, and LeBron highlights can you really watch in one day?
Okay, that was a stretch. You can obviously watch Kobe and Jordan and LeBron highlights all day.
But how long can you stare at a bright screen for before your eyes dry up like the Sahara and turn as red as a blood moon?
This is why you should do other things as well… like, read a book.
But before you do that, stand up, stretch, and dab a couple of drops of water on your eyes. You’ll thank me later.
Reading Is Great!
Anyway, there are a bunch of NBA players who love to read books.
And how could you blame them?
You can learn new things, you can take your mind off of current worries, and imagine wonderful worlds that authors create.
“But I haven’t really read anything in a while. What should I read first?” you may be asking.
Well, it depends on what your goals for reading are.
What do you want to accomplish by reading this book? To learn something? For entertainment?
Figure this out first.
Once you do, check out the following list for book recommendations. It’s a list of books your favorite NBA players love to read (fiction and non-fiction).
I’ve also included the genre of each book to help make your decisions easier.
Your Favorite NBA Player’s Favorite Books
Let’s get to it. Here are the books your favorite player loved to read:
[Full disclosure: The following links are affiliated links as I participate in the Amazon Associates program. What this means is that if you follow the link and purchase something, I will get a commission, at no extra cost to you.]
LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the greatest players to ever play basketball. He has amassed numerous accolades, such as becoming the NBA’s All-Time Scoring Leader and being deemed the league MVP four times.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Fiction, Mysticism
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
- Fiction, Dystopian
Decoded by Jay-Z
- Non-Fiction, Biography
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
- Non-Fiction, Business and Social Science
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a basketball legend who held the all-time scoring title for 40 years. He’s also a 6-time champion and 6-time MVP.
The Red-Headed League by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Fiction, Crime
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Fiction, Coming of Age
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Fiction, Legal Thriller
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley
- Non-Fiction, Biography and Civil Rights
J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick was one of the most talented shooters in the NBA and is currently one of the most intelligent basketball analysts.
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss (Author) and Crockett Johnson (Illustrator)
- Fiction, Classic Children’s
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
- Non-Fiction, Anthropology and History
Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh was one of the most talented bigs in the NBA. He is a 2-time NBA champion and an 11-time All-Star.
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday (Click Here to Read Review)
- Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Business Motivation
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is one the most basketball players (and shooters) ever. He is a 7-time NBA All-Star and the 2023 3-Point Contest Champion. He’s also part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Power of a Humble Life by Richard E. Simmons III
- Non-Fiction, Spiritual Growth and Personal Development
Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez is a talented center who is an NBA All-Star and NBA champion.
Okay, so if you didn’t already know, the Lopez brothers are huge comic book nerds. So, their recommendations are obviously going to be graphic novels. Here are some of their favorites:
- The Flash: Return of Barry Allen by Mark Waid
- JLA: New World Order by Grant Morrison
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
- Watchmen by Alan Moore
- New X-Men by Grant Morrison
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is one of the most talented, skilled and fun-to-watch point guards. He is a multi-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA player. He is also an NBA champion, NBA All-Star Game MVP and 3-Point Contest Champion.
Total Freedom by J. Krishnamurti
- Non-Fiction, Eastern Philosophy and Personal Development
Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili is a legendary player and is the greatest sixth man to ever play in the NBA. He is a 4-time champion, 2-time All-Star and 2-time All-NBA.
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday (Click Here to Read Review)
- Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Business Motivation
Kemba Walker
Like Irving, Kemba Walker was one of the most fun-to-watch players in the NBA. He is a 4-time NBA All-Star and 1-time All-NBA.
Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete by William C. Rhoden
- Non-Fiction, Sociology of Sports and History
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is a basketball legend and God. He was a 5-time NBA Champion, 2-time Scoring Champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, 1-time NBA MVP, 15-time All-NBA and 12-time All-Defensive.
Black leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
- Fiction, Historical Fantasy
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
- Non-Fiction, Social Studies
Range by David Epstein
- Non-Fiction, Sports Psychology
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is one of the greatest players to put on a Toronto Raptors uniform. He is a 6-time NBA All-Star, 3-time All-NBA and is the Raptors all-time points leader.
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Non-Fiction, Philosophy
The 50th Law by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Robert Greene
- Non-Fiction, Personal Development and Business
Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala was one of the most skilled all-around players in the NBA. He is a 1-time NBA All-Star, 4-time champion, 1-time Finals MVP and 2-time All-Defensive player.
Invisible Man: A Novel by Ralph Ellison
- Fiction, Action and Adventure
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder
- Non-Fiction, Business and Biography
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Dalai Lama
- Non-Fiction, Personal Development
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is one of the most talented two-way players in the NBA. He is a 1-time All-NBA player and 2-time NBA All-Star.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Non-Fiction, Creativity, Motivational
Pound the Stone: The 7 Lessons Develop Grit on the Path to Mastery by Joshua Medcalf
- Fiction, Folk Tale
Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson is a skilled point guard who won an NBA championship in 2023.
- Fiction, Classic Literature
Conclusion
There you have it. I listed every type of book, from personal development books to graphic novels.
Now, all you have to do is pick which one you want to start with. If I were you, I’d start with The Alchemist, Blink, and The Dark Knight Returns. But those are just my choices.
What book are you most interested in reading?
