Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game

American Sports Histories

by Kadir Nelson

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 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 chapter in history, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Picture Books, Middle Grade, History, Basketball, Juvenile

112 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

Kadir Nelson is a Los Angeles–based painter, illustrator, and author who is best known for his paintings often featured on the covers of The New Yorker magazine, and album covers for Michael Jackson and Drake. His work is focused on African-American culture and history.

Reviews

[Logan Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous oil paintings from Kadir Nelson! I feel like this would be a great book to enhance a youngster’s love for the game of basketball. I also learned a lot about the early Black pro teams (Harlem Rens!) and appreciate the bits with the ABA, street ball, and chapter on women’s basketball. (Must do ABA deep dive or just chat with my dad and uncle.)

Nelson’s writing style fluctuated from Wikipedia to poetry though and kind of randomly organized once you got out of the early days of the sport.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I liked the length of this book. Information in the book was easy to follow and interesting.

I would love to see a part two of this book come out!

[Leonard Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson does say the obvious in his end note: that this book covers origins and men’s pro ball at the expense of street, college, and women’s basketball. He pleads length limitations, but I don’t agree the book couldn’t have been more balanced. It does feel like a labor of love, which feels like the truer explanation.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent summation of the game and many of the key players and people who were formative and transformative in its history.
The unexpected accounting of the entrance of men and teams of color — both amateur and professional — into what for too many years was seen as an all-white sport is a real contribution to the historical record.
Although Little, Brown Books for Young Readers published this 112-page, large-format book, older fans will appreciate the well-written information and stories Kadir Nelson has pull together and how he brings to life the historic figures and stars of the game through his colorful paintings.
However.
I foresee multiple complaints from readers who won't be able to understand how their heroes could possibly not be included among the players who received full-page write-ups and full-page images.
For example, New York Knicks fans won't see Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed or Walt Frazier. Nor anyone else in a Knicks' jersey.
Missing too are Shaquille O'Neal and, surprisingly, Kobe Bryant.
The answer may be that those outstanding players didn't change the game in the way the featured players did. That may be true.
And to paraphrase an old editor of mine, the laws of physics apply to the written word; you can only print what fits in the book. At least a photo of Kobe — uni stuck on his lip — graces a two-page spread.
Nelson acknowledges another missing element in his Author's Note in the ending pages. The sole mention of women's basketball comes in a painting of two female professional players on the book's title page. Motivation for a follow-up book?

[Randall Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is nominally a children's book, although I think it entirely appropriate for adults to read as well. Anybody, like me, who grew up playing and spectating at basketball games will find it informative, entertaining and edifying.

I'm a big fan of Kadir Nelson's. I have his book, We Are The Ship, a history of the Negro Baseball League, on my bookshelf. Also a "children's" book, it measures up to the more scholarly, historical volumes about the Negro leagues in my library.

Nelson does a great job distilling the essence of the game, it's creation, early development, growth, and modern iteration into informative yet digestible bites. I was excited to learn it was published, and even more excited to find it at my local library.

I especially enjoy the artwork Nelson creates for his books. Don't know if he started painting to illustrate his books, or started writing books so he had a way to distribute his artwork more widely. Either way, it's working. Please carry on Mr. Nelson!

Even if you're not a kid, pick up this book and enjoy learning something about the game you've likely watched, and/or played your entire life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as a very GOOD READ!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing that might move this to a five-star read is seeing the finished copy with the illustrations since I was able to get my hands on the Netgalley audio version which was fantastic in sharing an overview of how basketball came to be. As Nelson explains at the end, he could have gone deeper and shared about plenty more, but he wanted it to be an accessible overview for the intended kid audience and it does a phenomenal job demonstrating what that looked like from real baskets to serve as the net that the ball had to be retrieved out of to how the Harlem Globetrotters came to be what they are now (because of their amazing talent- as in they were at one point supposed to be the opening act before the real basketball game but people left AFTER the Globetrotters played and didn't stay for the "real" game-- I love that story).

Nelson has a command and love of basketball that shines like his research and I can't wait to see the cherry on top- the illustrations that the audiobook lacked. But as an audiobook, the information was clear and concise. Can't wait to purchase a few copies of this for our library.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kadir Nelson is an amazing author and illustrator and this book is gorgeous. The conversational tone is just right for drawing kids into this great history of basketball, and there's so much underappreciated Black history shared here. HOWEVER, the book gives big "textbook sidebar" vibes when it comes to women's basketball. The book is a chronological history of the sport - all male, followed by vignettes of some of basketball's superstars through the years - all male, and then is followed by a single chapter titled "Overtime" that discusses women's basketball. Why isn't this included in the chronological text? Why are no female superstars included in the vignettes? Either call it "the story of men's basketball," or elevate women's basketball to more than a slim chapter near the end. It's such a missed opportunity in a beautiful book.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides a concise history of basket in America starting with Dr. Naismith creation of the game over a century ago and the first professional basketball leagues that was very physical and low scoring. The chapters are quarters and does a linear progression of the sport and the primary teams and individuals that stood out in the sport, and a final chapter focusing on women's basketball in the United States. Nelson includes numerous colored illustrations throughout. This is a perfect book for young readers who want to know more about how the game started and the early history and superstars and iconic teams in the NBA. Less than a 100 pages including the illustrations make it a draw for reluctant readers who may not want to read a longer book.

[Ali Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Narrative Non-Fiction
Themes: Resilience, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, history
Identity Represented: Black/ African American

Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, tells the history of basketball while highlighting the people and moments that are often left out. By highlighting the influence of Black players, the book offers a counter-narrative to stereotypes that reduce Black athletes to natural talent by recognizing their dedication, leadership, and ingenuity. The detailed back matter reflects the depth of Nelson's research and makes this a strong springboard for students who want to learn more about history through a different context or explore the people who shaped the game of basketball.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the invention of basketball through history to modern times, Kadir Nelson gorgeously illustrates and clearly articulates the story of the "all American game." Full of pictures, but also lots of information, BASKETBALL is for the true fan. It is not a quick, read aloud at storytime type of picture book. It is however, a stunning collection of facts about basketball. I love the structure. Nelson divides the contents into Pregame, First Quarter, etc as he walks us through the history and figures. A lot of ground is covered here. I think this is a book to treasure and gift for true fans of the game. I also think this should be on every library and elementary classroom shelf for kids who will dive into the text to learn more about the game they love.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a basketball fan, but I still assumed I would find myself mostly flipping through this book to see Kadir's beautiful painting and then just calling it a day. That is not what happened. I sat, unmoving, for over an hour as I slowed down to read and enjoy every part of this book. Kadir's paintings are stunning. Amongst his best work, no doubt. But the conversational tone of the story, pulling greats from history and showing how the game has grown, makes for an unbelievably enjoyable read. Kid readers might be turned off by the length and size of this book, but get them to sit down with it and it will capture them as well.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know a lot about sports, but this was a fairly interesting primer for people who are interested in the history of Basketball, particularly children. I read this for Mock Newbery. I think it's a better fit for a Siebert or a Caldecott. Nelson's artwork is stunning. It jumps off the page and makes the game alive. My only real "gripe" is that the women's chapter is "overtime" and the entire history of women's basketball from it's infancy to now is wrapped up in about 10 pages. I get that women's is newer, but surely it exists as more than a perceived footnote. I think sports kiddos will love this, though.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 4 stars, heck even 5 stars if there had been more about women's basket ball. I know he mentions that he ran out of space for this book, and needed to focus on certain aspects of the history. Totally get it! I just wish the title some how made clear that this was made to only be about men's basket ball history...I feel like the title makes it seem like it's about basket ball in general, and that should include more than one small chapter on women.
But the artwork and writing are stellar as always for Kadir. And I see lots of kids being interested.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deep dive into basketball; approx 120 pages full of text surrounded by gorgeous oil color portraits that look like photographs. I will admit I did not read it in its entirety, but anyone with a passion for basketball will find this informative and entertaining. The history of basketball begins the book and then the book highlights individual historical players. This is a must for basketball enthusiasts from middle school through adult. There is a short section on women’s basketball at the end.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm no expert on the history of the sport, I believe Nelson presents a well rounded and broad history of Basketball from it's invention, through it's many evolutions. With focus on several major players, innovators and movers; Basket Ball presents a readable and interesting text. The reader was clear and comfortable for listening. I will be looking forward to some stellar artwork from this amazing illustrator, but I wasn't able to see the pictures for this review.

[Debra Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love basketball! I loved playing it, watching my kids play it, watching the college athletes play it, watching the pros growing up, and love love love watching the women play. This is a wonderful book, beautifully illustrated, for anyone who loves basketball, or who just wants to learn about the history and players of the game. Kadir Nelson is simply a fantastic author/illustrator, and his books are not only for young people. His books are among the most enjoyed books on my bookshelf.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated history of the game of basketball. Terrific stories from the early days, and gorgeously rendered player profiles of the biggest stars in the game. I enjoyed learning more about the Harlem Globetrotters, who I loved to watch as a kid. But- as other reviewers have noted women’s basketball appears to have been an afterthought with just a small handful of pages.That was disappointing, as women have been playing the game since 1899.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love basketball. I love Kadir Nelson's illustrations. I needed to know if I can buy this book for my elementary school. Sadly, the format is bulky and may not work for transporting to and from school. I hope that this book ends up in all middle and high school libraries. I learned a great deal and have done a fair amount of reading on the sport of basketball which I love. Kadir Nelson is a force for all children who love to read and art teachers who love to show diversity of illustrations.

[Daniel Dennies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoever did the layout for this book did an awful job, the paintings are all cropped in the worst way, so it's not a great way to appreciate the artworks

The text is okay other if you are looking for specific events and highlights of specific men that the author admires, but lacks any real context or connection to history or america

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Kadir Nelson’s art so so much, though I find that kids don’t prefer that oversize format when it comes to nonfiction. I also wish that women’s basketball was not relegated to the Overtime section almost as if it was an afterthought. Otherwise, this is a fantastic basketball overview with stunning illustrations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am pretty lackluster about basketball, but I am an absolute die-hard fan of Kadir Nelson. His illustrations take my breath away. They are stunning! And for fans of basketball, this book is jam-packed full of all the details about the history of the game, starting in 1891, the major players over the years, and every fact you'd want to know. It was an interesting read.

[Laura Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a huge, 100 page picture book mecca of basketball stars, facts, history, etc. The illustrations from Kadir are impeccable. If you are a basketball fan, young or old, this is a book to check out!

[Kristin R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book about the history of basketball and the most influential players that have shaped the game. If you love basketball, take the time to look at this book. The artwork is stunning and captures the players perfectly.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a comprehensive look into the history of men's basketball (with brief nods to women's participation in the sport mainly at the end of the book). Gorgeous illustrations and a thorough history make this a great picture book for late elementary readers on.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An energetic and inspiring tribute to the game.

[Stephen Ditman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.6 stars

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this book. I have to have my own copy. Interesting information and the art is stunning.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating read even for people who don’t follow basketball. The voice is conversational, the artwork mesmerizing, and the anecdotes riveting. I highly recommend this one.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"[Basket Ball] paints people, places and endeavors relegated to oblivion’s sidelines back onto the hardwood.... Each of Nelson’s portraits sends up a little praise song." [The New York Times]

[Renee Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for big kids and preteens who love facts and basketball