The Hoops Whisperer

On the Court and Inside the Heads of Basketball's Best Players

By: Idan Ravin

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Basketball’s most unlikely - and most sought-after - training guru offers an inside look at his career, his methods, and the all-star players whose games he’s helped transform.

Where do the best basketball players in the world turn when they want to improve their game? Whom does a future NBA Hall of Famer thank at his press conference when he’s named Rookie of the Year? Who is it that Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, and Men’s Journal all call the "Hoops Whisperer" because of his ability to engage, inspire, and challenge the players he trains?

The answer to all of these questions is Idan Ravin. Ravin never played or coached in college or the pros, yet a virtual NBA All-Star team relies on him to better their game and reach their full potential. A soft-spoken former lawyer, Ravin has become professional basketball’s hottest trainer.

In The Hoops Whisperer, Ravin shares the fascinating story of how he transformed a passion for the game into working with iconic basketball stars such as Chris Paul, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Dwight Howard, and many more. He offers a rare unguarded glimpse inside the lives of these great athletes, drawn from his intimate connection with them that is the basis of his success. Showcasing his unorthodox drills and improvisational techniques in action, Ravin reveals how faith, effort, dedication, and passion can make a player into a superstar - and anyone into a success. Combined with his own inspiring journey, Ravin’s insights make The Hoops Whisperer a must-listen for anyone who loves the game.

©2014 Idan Ravin (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"I never imagined that when I first worked with Idan before my rookie year, our relationship would extend more than a decade. He has influenced me tremendously and I am very grateful for his loyalty, friendship, and guidance. He is passionate about everything he does and, while some may consider his methods unorthodox, the end results for me have been remarkable." (Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks)

Insider info on NBA players & how they train

Great reader for this book also! The author was amazing. He had insider info on BIG TIME NBA players that let you into their lives and training schedules. LaBraun, KD, CP3, wow

David

Very interesting read. Great stories about working with individual NBA players. Enjoyed the fundamental strategies he shared - would love to hear more.

#FindYourOwnWay

inspiring story about making your dreams come true by giving your all to the game

Awesome.

My little girls are just starting in the game I love and this gave me inspiration, ideas and hope. I chose the book for the rating and the narrator but the content was amazing.

Inspiring Beyond Basketball

I bought this book initially because I wanted to help support my daughter’s love of basketball and strengthen her training regimen. What I found was a much more interesting collection of stories woven together to form two narratives.

One was what I expected from the title: a series of behind-the-scenes accounts of the basketball training practices of the stars we know... LeBron James, Maya Moore, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Alana Beard, and several others. What I found most interesting about these stories was the manner in which their trainer, Idan Ravin, tailored his approach not just to the physical/skill needs of each player, but to their mental/emotional requirements. In short, he manages to maximize players' growth by understanding their motivations and customizing each workout accordingly. If you or your child has ever worked with a sports trainer, I expect you haven't experienced that level of attention.

The other narrative was unexpected. Ravin's personal story is perhaps a more valuable part of the book than the training insights. At its core, it's a classic American Dream story: an immigrant with a dream overcomes many hurdles with hard work and dedication to finally achieve success. But when the plot line is a true story, and includes some of the biggest contemporary American sports stars, teams and coaches, then it becomes both gripping and inspiring.