The Sixth Man Book Summary

In 'The Sixth Man', Andre Iguodala takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the highs and lows of his basketball career, revealing the unseen emotional and psychological battles faced by athletes. As he navigates the pressures of fame, race, and identity, Iguodala offers a raw and candid perspective on what it means to be a supportive teammate and an extraordinary player off the bench. Co-authored by Carvell Wallace, the book intertwines personal anecdotes with broader reflections on life, ambition, and resilience. With a unique blend of sports memoir and cultural commentary, 'The Sixth Man' challenges the conventional narratives of success in the NBA. Discover the man behind the game and explore the untold stories that redefine what it means to be a champion.

By Andre Iguodala, Carvell Wallace

Published: 2019

"In the game of life, just like basketball, it's not always about being in the starting lineup; sometimes, the strength of a team lies in those who come off the bench and elevate the game."

Book Review of The Sixth Man

The Instant National Bestseller The standout memoir from NBA powerhouse Andre Iguodala, the indomitable sixth man of the Golden State Warriors. Fresh off the Warriors’ fourth Finals win in eight years, Andre Iguodala long has been one of the most admired players in the NBA. Off the court, Iguodala has earned respect, too—for his successful tech investments, his philanthropy, and increasingly for his contributions to the conversation about race in America. It is no surprise, then, that in his first book, Andre, with his cowriter Carvell Wallace, has pushed himself to go further than he ever has before about his life, not only as an athlete but about what makes him who he is at his core. The Sixth Man traces Andre’s journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there. But this is the story, too, of his experience of the conflict and racial tension always at hand in a professional league made up largely of African American men; of whether and why the athlete owes the total sacrifice of his body; of the relationship between competition and brotherhood among the players of one of history’s most glorious championship teams. And of what motivates an athlete to keep striving for more once they’ve already achieved the highest level of play they could have dreamed. On drive, on leadership, on pain, on accomplishment, on the shame of being given a role, and the glory of taking a role on: This is a powerful memoir of life and basketball that reveals new depths to the superstar athlete, and offers tremendous insight into most urgent stories being told in American society today.

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In the game of life, just like basketball, it's not always about being in the starting lineup; sometimes, the strength of a team lies in those who come off the bench and elevate the game.

The Sixth Man

By Andre Iguodala, Carvell Wallace