Kobe Bryant Books Guide – Mamba Mentality, Kids Books & More
BuySideSports is reader supported. When you click on product links we may earn a commission.
The Top Kobe Bryant Books
NBA superstar Kobe Bryant died tragically in a helicopter accident in 2020 but will never be forgotten. A true legend on and off the court.
Below you’ll find our guide to the best Kobe Bryant books, including the inspirational series he created for children after retiring from the NBA.
KOBE BASKETBALL BOOKS
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play (#1 PICK - MUST HAVE FOR KOBE FANS!)
This book is an absolute must-have for every Kobe Bryant fan. It was published in 2018 and dives deep into the “Mamba Mentality”. He provides personal details about his training and how he approached the mental aspects of basketball.
He wanted this book to be a blueprint for the next generation of basketball players and it’s a fascinating read.
This book also includes an amazing selection of photos from Kobe’s life on and off the court. The pictures alone make this book an instant buy. We highly recommend getting the hardcover version so you can show it off in your home and share with others.
Kobe Bryant: The Inspirational Story of One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time!
This book was published in 2019 and also delves into the life and basketball success of Kobe Bryant. While Kobe was not directly involved, it’s one of the most popular books published since his retirement. It has hundreds of positive reviews and includes a section about his post-NBA life. This is a great pick for Kobe fans that want to dive into an enjoyable recap of Kobe’s greatness.
KOBE CHILDREN'S BOOKS
After he retired from the NBA Kobe created the storylines for a series of fiction books aimed at inspiring kids to dream big and pursue their goals. All of the books below became best sellers and were heavily influenced by Kobe’s life and the “Mamba Mentality”.
The Wizenard Series: Training Camp (The Wizenard Series, Book 1)
This is the first book in a series that follows a fictional team of basketball players and their coach. It’s an imaginative and entertaining story that helps kids understand what it takes to achieve success in team sports. Each of the players has their own story, fears, and challenges. It’s aimed at kids in grades 4 thru 12 and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Kobe describes this series as the book he wishes was available when he was growing up.
The Wizenard Series: Season One (The Wizenard Series, Book 2)
This is the second book in the Wizenard Series and sequel to the book above. It uses magic and beautiful storytelling to dig deeper into the challenges of achieving success in team sports. It continues the themes from the first book of dedication, hard work, failures and breakthroughs.
Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof (Epoca, 1)
This book is from the mind of Kobe Bryant and was published in 2019. It’s the story of a magical sports academy and the kids that are sent there. The main theme of the book is building inner strength and gaining an understanding of what it takes to succeed.
Geese Are Never Swans
This fiction book is aimed at 14-18 year olds and tells the emotional story of an aspiring Olympic swimmer. He is completely focused on swimming, it’s all he cares about. But the path he must take is full of challenges and turmoil. It’s a powerful and inspiring novel about the nature of sports and competition.
As a final bonus we highly recommend every Kobe fan check out the special ESPN issue that was created in his honor. Not only is it filled with amazing stories and photos of Kobe, but it’s guaranteed to become a valuable collector’s item in the coming years.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Kobe Bryant books. Get in touch with us at [email protected] and let us know if there are any other Kobe books we should add to the list.
Thanks,
The Buy Side Sports Team