16/04/2024
Quick story:
In 2009 while playing professionally in Germany, I had an idea to spend the down time writing a book. There was a problem, I was not a very good writer and knew nothing about writing a book. (I was actually told by a college professor to take a writing class my freshman year. because of my performance in their class) I decided to reach out to a former teammate and friend from college, who actually had the knowledge, skill and demonstrated the passion for writing. Well, we got to work and wrote a book. 80,000 words. The elevator pitch I found in my email archives...
A brief overview of the book:
It was written by myself and a teammate, Ben Kaplan. Ben, previous to becoming a teammate, followed our team and wrote articles about our team for the sports information department at our school. Finally fed up with watching, he was determined to make the team, even if it meant the last spot on the bench. I was the returning National Player of the Year, and so we go back and forth telling our stories, reflections, and views of one season, as we are in pursuit of our "Ultimate Goal," the title of the book.
So yeah basically, "The Last Dance" before "The Last Dance."
Our book, completed and ready to hit the shelves...well it never happened. We pitched it to people, publishers and anyone we could talk to in the space. Apparently D3 basketball and our story wasn't compelling enough (I think it was probably my writing, because...)
Fast forward nearly 15 years later and "Pipeline to the Pros" is here! My former teammate and friend, , has written his second book (first to get published) alongside a much better co-author,
If you love:
- Basketball
- NBA
- D3 Basketball/ Sports
Then check this book out! Pipeline to the Pros officially on shelves today!
Don't believe me they have endorsements from DickieV, Shaq, Woj, Jeff Van Gundy, Nick Wright and interviews from many NBA coaches and executives. And my dog clearly loves it!
https://www.amazon.com/Pipeline-Pros-Ben-Kaplan/dp/1637274335
