ABCs of Basketball

Dream Big. Think Big. Play Big.

by Mario Chalmers with Almarie Chalmers

Illustrated by Emmanuel Everett

$15.95 USD / $19.95 CAN

Dreaming big, thinking big, and playing big has always been a part of Mario Chalmers' life. But there was no way of knowing at the time that a high-school English assignment would someday lead to a published book, but that's exactly what happened for Mario and his mother, Almarie.

During his junior year at Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska, Mario and other members of instructor Dorena Montgomery's English class were studying children's literature. Hoping to foster a better understanding of the genre, Montgomery asked her students to write their own children's books.

Little did Mario know, but his mother had a similar project she always wanted to work on, but, as a busy mother of two children, never had the time. With an idea and title already in mind, she encouraged Mario to develop the concept, and he took it from there. What developed was Mario Chalmers' ABC's of Basketball which focused on basketball basics, with each letter represented by a basketball term and its meaning.

The result was not just a good grade, but motivation from his teacher to do something more with the book. The two tried to get their story published, but it never seemed to be the right time. Despite a few setbacks, and even shelving the project for a time, the pieces eventually began falling into the place. And nearly 14 years later, the two are releasing, Mario Chalmers' ABCs of Basketball combining that early high school term paper assignment, Mario's passion for the game, and Almarie's loves of writing and teaching.

Mario Chalmers' ABCs of Basketball is a fun and lively story about Little Rio and his friends. Intended to inform and spark the interests of younger children, the book is also a great resource for older readers, and even parents, wanting to learn more about the game. It's also the perfect book for parents and children to read together. The story teaches children the ABCs of basketball in a colorful, entertaining way. Written by NBA star Mario Chalmers and his mother, Almarie, Mario Chalmers' ABCs of Basketball features lively characters and illustrations by Emmanuel Everett. It will be the book you will want to read time and time again!

ABCs of Basketball

$15.95 USD / $19.95 CAN

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About the Authors

Mario Chalmers

Mario Chalmers acquired his love for basketball at age 3 thanks to a Nerf basketball and hoop, and brought home his first championship trophy from the local YMCA league at age 12. In high school, under the guidance of his father and head coach Ronnie, he won two Alaska state championships, and was named as a McDonalds All-American. At the University of Kansas, Mario earned a starting position during his freshman year, and helped lead the Jayhawks to the Big 12 Conference title. Two seasons later, he was a key member of KU's National Championship team, and famously hit a 3-point shot with 2.1 seconds left in regulation of the title game, which has come to be known as "The Miracle Shot."

Mario's success has continued throughout his NBA career, as he won back-to-back championships with the Miami Heat. He's currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Off the court, Mario is the founder of the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation, which supports the positive development of youth through sports and education, and funding breast cancer research and treatment initiatives.

Almarie Chalmers

Almarie Chalmers is a certified professional life coach, as well as Mario Chalmer's proud mom. She's the founder of Speak Life (life-coaching for women), and the annual Speak Life With Word luncheons, which offer exhortation to women, focusing on mothers and female cancer survivors. Almarie serves as executive director of the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation, and helped develop Mario's Closet at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas.

A 20-year veteran of the Anchorage (Alaska) School District, Almarie still finds time to work on her writing and attend her son's games. This is her second book. Her first book is titled, The Ball is in Your Court.

Emmanuel Everett

Emmanuel Everett has always been an avid daydreaming doodler. Since early childhood, Emmanuel has known that the stage was set for a lifetime of creative cultivation. Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, provided a unique landscape and culture that further inspired his artistic approach to life. Whether creating and designing alongside small businesses or Fortune-500 companies, he continues to establish a progressive presence as a young artist and designer. Emmanuel strives for continuous growth and exploration...creating one big idea at a time.

ABCs of Basketball

Dream Big. Think Big. Play Big.

ABCs of Basketball

About the Authors

Mario Chalmers

Almarie Chalmers

Emmanuel Everett

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