Stokes: The Brief Career of the NBA’s First Black Superstar

Gr 2-6–Fans of basketball may not know the name of 1950s NBA superstar Maurice Stokes, and this excellent picture book biography corrects that. Stokes had a brilliant but short career, strong and adept in all aspects of the game. He was generous with the ball and well-liked by teammates. Unfortunately, Stokes was injured during a game. He hit his head and was unconscious for three minutes; without treatment from a doctor, he eventually had a massive brain bleed that left him paralyzed. At the time, there were no concussion protocols and no support from the NBA or the team franchise. Teammates rallied and organized a charity basketball game that raised money to help pay for Stokes’s ongoing medical bills. Vivid writing pairs with vibrant illustrations to depict a tragic but fascinating look at an engaging and exciting player whose misfortune, sadly, changed the way that basketball is played forever.