Kwame Alexander > Quotes

“Basketball Rule #1

In this game of life
your family is the court
and the ball is your heart.
No matter how good you are,
no matter how down you get,
always leave
your heart
on the court.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball rule #3
Never let anyone
lower your goals.
Others’ expectations
of you are determined
by their limitations
of life.
The sky is your limit, sons.
Always shoot
for the sun
and you will shine.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #4

If you miss
enough of life's
free throws
you will pay
in the end.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #5
When
you stop
playing
your game
you've already
lost.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #10

A loss is inevitable,
like snow in winter.
True champions
learn
to dance
through
the storm.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Bullies don't like to fight, son. They like to win. Being afraid is normal. The only fight you really have to win is the one against the fear.”
― Kwame Alexander, Booked

“Basketball Rule #6
A great team
has a good scorer
with a teammate
who's on point
and ready
to assist.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #2 (random text from Dad)
Hustle dig
Grind push
Run fast
Change pivot
Chase pull
Aim shoot
Work smart
Live smarter
Play hard
Practice harder”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #7

Rebounding
is the art
of anticipating,
of always being prepared
to grab it.
But you can't
drop the ball.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Never let anyone lower your goals. Others' expectations of you are determined my their limitations of life. The sky is your limit, sons. Always shoot for the sun, and you will shine.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“The poems
were cool.

The best ones were
like bombs,
and when all the right words

came together
it was like an explosion.”
― Kwame Alexander, Booked

“Books are fun, Nicholas, he says,
they're like
amusement parks
for readers.

Yeah, well, maybe
they would be fun
if I got to pick
the rides
sometimes, you answer”
― Kwame Alexander, Booked

“Basketball Rule #3

Never let anyone
lower your goals.
Others' expectations
of you are determined
by their limitations
of life.
The sky is your limit, sons.
Always shoot for the sun
and you will shine.”
― Kwame Alexander

“I think being an adult must be confusing as hell.”
― Kwame Alexander, Booked

“Sometimes it’s the things that aren’t said that kill you.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“There's a lot of love around you, but if you don't see it, it's not there.”
― Kwame Alexander, Solo

“In this life, rain’s gonna fall, but the sun will shine again,”
― Kwame Alexander, Rebound

“Own the sadness, don’t let it own you.”
― Kwame Alexander, Rebound

“Basketball Rule #9

When the game is on
the line,
don't fear.
Grab the ball.
Take it
to the hoop.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Basketball Rule #8

Sometimes
you have to
lean back
a little
and
fade away
to get
the best
shot.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“...it's
just one miss, but
you're gonna have
a whole lotta makes
in this life, 'cause you're just
that good, and it's okay
to be down
and upset
as long as
you're not down
and out”
― Kwame Alexander, Rebound

“tricks are for kids,”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“He's no longer listening to music,
but his tears are loud enough
to dance to.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Look at the mirrors in your friends eyes. That's all anyone ever needs. Too see beauty and reflection in others. Those are real mirrors.”
― Kwame Alexander, Solo

“You love me? Like summer loves short nights.   Get a checkup, then. Only cure I need is you.   I’m serious about this, Chuck. Only doctor I need is Dr. Crystal Bell. Now come here . . .   And then there is silence, so I put the pillow over my head because when they stop talking,   I know what that means. Uggghh!”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Find your grit and put in the work to elevate your game. Champions train. Chumps complain.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life

“Because Dad told you he'd be here forever.
Because I thought forever was like Mars -- far away.”
― Kwame Alexander

“don’t rush though: your eyes need time to taste. your soul needs room to bloom.”
― Kwame Alexander, How to Read a Book

“A loss is inevitable, like snow in winter. True champions learn to dance through the storm.”
― Kwame Alexander, The Crossover

“Life is a mountain, Youngblood. Nobody said the climb was gonna be easy.
You gotta choose your route.
Get your gear.
Breathe.
Clear your mind.
And enjoy the journey”
― Kwame Alexander, Solo