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More Than an Athlete: The Next Generation

By: and

Originally published in 2005, former NBA star Etan Thomas’s first poetry collection defies the stereotype of the apolitical athlete; featuring brand-new poems by Thomas and his son—and University of Dayton basketball star—Malcolm Thomas

Now available for preorder. All preorders will ship on or before January 5, 2027.

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Forthcoming: 1/5/27

$18.95 $14.21

Description

Retired NBA star, author, and outspoken political activist, Etan Thomas is more than an athlete. In this, his first collection of poems—originally published in 2005 and reissued here with many new poems—the former center for the NBA’s Washington Wizards defies the stereotype of the apolitical athlete, and plants his roots in his budding literary career. With the conviction of a Bill Russell, and the poetic finesse of Muhammad Ali, Thomas takes on controversial topics such as the Death Penalty, the GOP, and racism.

This fiery poet approaches his work fearlessly, writing in the strong, historical lineage of his literary elders Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez, and in the tradition of more contemporary poets Ras Baraka, Tony Medina, and asha bandele. More Than an Athlete is not just a book of poetry; it’s a statement about new generations not being confined to a box, a definition, or a label. Some people play ball, and some people write poems. Etan Thomas has mastered the art of both.

The reimagined 2027 edition features brand-new poems by Thomas as well as his son Malcolm, who is following in his father’s footsteps on the court as a collegiate athlete, and on—and off—the page as a poet and activist.

Book Details

  • Paperback: 96 pages
  • Published: 1/5/27
  • IBSN: 9781636143446
  • e-IBSN: 9781636143453

Authors

ETAN THOMAS, a former eleven-year NBA player (and Michael Jordan’s teammate), was born in Harlem and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has published multiple books including: We Matter: Athletes and Activism, Police Brutality and White Supremacy: The Fight Against American Traditions, More Than an Athlete, and Fatherhood: Rising to the Ultimate Challenge. Thomas received the 2010 National Basketball Players Association Community Contribution Award as well as the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation Legacy Award—both honoring his advocacy for social justice. He is a senior writer for BasketballNews.com and a regular contributor to the Guardian and the Undefeated. He can frequently be seen on MSNBC as a special correspondent and cohosts a weekly show with Dave Zirin called, The Collision: Where Sports and Politics Collide. Lessons from Michael Jordan is his latest book.

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MALCOLM THOMAS was born in 2005 and currently plays basketball for the University of Dayton. He started writing poetry at the age of nine and has performed with his father, former NBA player Etan Thomas, at numerous public events, including at Busboys & Poets, Howard University, Syracuse University, and at a Black Lives Matter panel alongside Isiah Thomas, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Broussard, John Wallace, Hosea Chanchez, Bizzle, Kevin Powell, and Emerald Garner, at the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2015. His latest work is More Than an Athlete.

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