Letters to a Young Athlete

Retired basketball player Bosh is a two-time NBA champion, 11-time NBA All-Star, and winner of an Olympic gold medal. In this collection of letters, he gives advice and inspiration to young athletes seeking success. Drawing on the work of inspirational speaker Simon Sinak, Bosh encourages athletes to find a reason to play sports, other than wealth or fame. He maintains that, in order to get ahead, young athletes must take care of their minds and bodies while also taking care to educate themselves on social justice issues. In his view, a leader treats their teammates with respect and takes responsibility for mistakes. In terms of winning and losing, he advises maintaining an even temperament to navigate the ups and downs of a game and season. At the same time, Bosh suggests, a young athlete must not rest on their accomplishments and should learn to accept constructive criticism. Beyond basketball, Bosh takes inspiration for this book from poetry, music, business leaders, and other sports stars.