{"product_id":"players-first-isbn-9780143127086","title":"Players First","description":"\u003cb\u003eNow with a new chapter on the Wildcats' legendary comeback in the 2014 Final Four\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Calipari, one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, presents the world of college basketball from the coach's chair, unvarnished and straight from the heart. \u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e is Calipari's account of his first six years coaching the University of Kentucky men's team, leading it to a national championship in 2012 and the championship game in 2014, all while dealing with the realities of the \"one-and-done\" mentality and an NCAA that sometimes seems to put players last. Filled with revelatory stories about what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the college game, \u003ci\u003ePlayers First \u003c\/i\u003eis a candid look at the great players and rivalries that have filled Calipari's life with joy and a sense of purpose.\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003ePresident William J. Clinton:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"If you are a college basketball fan like I am, you’ll understand why I’ve long admired John Calipari’s leadership style. While no coach treasures a win more than John, this terrific book reveals his greater purpose—to lead his young players to better lives, and then challenge them to give back to others.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eHarvey Mackay, author of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e #1 bestseller\u003ci\u003e Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“John Calipari tells his players:  Embrace the work.  Embrace the sweat.  Embrace the pain.  I say:  Embrace this book.  It’s basketball at its finest.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eSimon Sinek, optimist and author of \u003ci\u003eStart with Why\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLeaders Eat Last\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom, I found myself highlighting and taking notes as I read. Writing like a loving but honest parent, Calipari shares stories of how he learned to inspire greatness from his players and how they pushed themselves to achieve more than they thought possible. A truly human account of what it takes to win, \u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e proves that winning has nothing to do with the score, it has to do with the people.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn C. Maxwell, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author and speaker:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e captures why so many kids want to play for John Calipari and why so many mothers and fathers ask him to take their boys and mold them into young men. Through stories and examples, Coach Cal brings out his most important teaching tool, which is servant leadership. Teaching these young people to care more about others than themselves is what sets his program apart and what sets this book apart from other coaches’ books. It's a must-read.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eKen Blanchard, coauthor of \u003ci\u003eThe One Minute Manager®\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLeading at a Higher Level\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eTrustWorks!\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’ve been an admirer and friend of John Calipari for over thirty years—ever since his coaching days at the University of Massachusetts, where I was a professor. I’ve watched Cal and his wife, Ellen, treat his players as family and help bring out their best, not only on the court but also in their future lives as spouses, parents, friends, business leaders, and contributors to their communities. \u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e is not just for sports fans—it’s for anyone who is open to learn that viewing your people as your number one customer is the key to long-term success. Wins and profits are the byproducts of putting your players\/people first. I love this book—and so will you and the people you care about and count on at home, at work, and in the community where you live. Thanks, Cal.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eSam Cassell, three-time NBA champion and current Washington Wizards assistant coach\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I loved playing for Cal. He tried to put players in a position to play to their strengths, but he held guys responsible for their performance. We all benefited from his approach. As I read \u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e, it brought back memories of how he coached us and why we enjoyed playing for him so much.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cb\u003eBob Rotella, sports psychologist and author of \u003ci\u003eGolf is Not a Game of Perfect\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’ve been working with Coach Cal and his teams for about 20 years now and have loved every minute of it. Two things have drawn me to Coach Cal over the years: one, he chases excellence and greatness, and two, I love the way he cares about his players and treats the people around him. \u003ci\u003ePlayers First\u003c\/i\u003e gives a very honest picture of what’s important to Coach Cal and why he’s so great at taking young athletes, developing them into mature players and helping them reach their potential.”\u003cb\u003eJohn Calipari \u003c\/b\u003eis the current head coach of the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team and a veteran of nearly twenty college seasons at the University of Memphis and the University of Massachusetts. Widely regarded as one of the greatest program builders in all of college basketball, Calipari and his teams have earned eleven conference titles, twelve NCAA Tournament berths, and two Final Fours. Calipari’s eight 30-win seasons are third most for a head coach in NCAA Division I history.\u003cb\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichael Sokolove\u003c\/b\u003e is a contributing writer for \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Magazine \u003c\/i\u003eand the author of four books:\u003ci\u003e Drama High\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWarrior Girls\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHustle\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Ticket Out.\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304075546853,"sku":"NP9780143127086","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780143127086.jpg?v=1767734862","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/players-first-isbn-9780143127086","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}