Coming Soon

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

On Sale: Jan 13, 2026
Page Count: 112 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316209403

$21.99

$28.99 CAD

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Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson delivers the perfect gift for basketball fans of any age—a beautifully illustrated history of the game and its key players over the years—in this companion to his bestselling We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.

Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life.

The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players—including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry—are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.

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American Sports Histories

Kadir Nelson is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander; the New York Times bestseller We Are the Ship, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor as well as the Sibert Medal; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was an NAACP Image Award winner, Caldecott Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner. His work has appeared in many publications, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. Kadir’s original paintings are in the permanent collections of the US House of Representatives and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of African American History and Culture, and he has been inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He lives in Southern California and invites you to visit him online at kadirnelson.com.

* "Jam-packed with well-researched historical context, each chapter is compelling.... A backboard-shattering slam dunk."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Nelson’s detailed but very readable text is illustrated with a series of riveting oil paintings of key figures, including outstanding players in the sport’s history. This handsome, informative volume belongs in many sports collections."
Booklist, starred review
Praise for We Are the Ship:

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award
A New York Times bestseller

"Nelson continues to top himself with each new book." B>Kirkus Reviews

"Pitch-perfect history of Negro League Baseball. " B>Horn Book

“The stories and artwork contained here are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers.” B>Booklist

“An engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages.” B>School Library Journal

“One need not be a baseball fan to enjoy this book.”
Library Media Connection

Kadir Nelson

About the Illustrator

Kadir Nelson is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander; the New York Times bestseller We Are the Ship, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor as well as the Sibert Medal; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was an NAACP Image Award winner, Caldecott Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner. His work has appeared in many publications, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. Kadir’s original paintings are in the permanent collections of the US House of Representatives and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of African American History and Culture, and he has been inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He lives in Southern California and invites you to visit him online at kadirnelson.com.

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Kadir Nelson

About the Illustrator

American Sports Histories