Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary

David L. Porter

Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005 - Sports & Recreation - 589 pages

From its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to its pervasive presence in 21st-century America, basketball has grown into an undeniably important sport. The 575 entries in this biographical dictionary present concise narratives on the lives and careers on the most important names in basketball history. Entries include both classic players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob Cousy as well as more recently established and up-and-coming stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James. Entries for coaches such as the Boston Celtics' Red Auerbach and Mike Krzyzewski from Duke University present the figures who have shaped the game from courtside, while the inclusion of female players and coaches such as Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Pat Summitt show that basketball is not just a sport for men.

From its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to its pervasive presence in 21st-century America, basketball has grown into an undeniably important sport. The 575 entries in this biographical dictionary present concise narratives on the lives and careers on the most important names in basketball history. Entries include both classic players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob Cousy as well as more recently established and up-and-coming stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James. Entries for coaches such as the Boston Celtics' Red Auerbach and Mike Krzyzewski from Duke University present the figures who have shaped the game from courtside, while the inclusion of female players and coaches such as Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Pat Summitt show that basketball is not just a sport for men. This volume is an ideal reference for students seeking easily accessed information on the greats of the game.

Contents

• A Biographical Dictionary: 1
• Entries by Place of Birth: 531
• Women Basketball Players and Coaches: 539
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Members: 541
• Index: 545
• About the Editor and the Contributors: 587

About the author

David L. Porter has edited several reference books on sports, including the Biographical Dictionary of American Sports and Latino and African American Athletes Today: A Biographical Dictionary.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary
• Editor: David L. Porter
• Compiled by: David L. Porter
• Publisher: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005
• ISBN: 0313309523, 9780313309526
• Length: 589 pages
• Subjects: Sports & Recreation / General