Coachable - by Ric Bucher (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

What separates the greatest athletes from the rest? Coachability.

"This book is for athletes, parents, coaches, and leaders who understand that growth doesn't happen alone."--Mike Krzyzewski

"A unique, impactful, and long-overdue book that draws on decades of reporting to explain what really distinguishes the great ones."--Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class

"Coachable is rooted in the belief that improvement is a shared journey. I've seen firsthand that the best players--and the best leaders--are the ones who remain teachable."--Kevin Love

Sports analyst Ric Bucher has spent the last three decades surrounded by some of the greatest athletes of our time. Over the years, he became obsessed with the ultimate question in sports and life: Which traits separate the best from the rest? He began asking that question, and the same answer kept coming back again and again from greats like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Diana Taurasi, Brandi Chastain, and Stephen Curry: I was coachable.

Coachable? Yes, coachable. Of all the possible markers that contributed to their greatness, coachability emerged as the surprising X factor. So Bucher set out to explore this often overlooked aspect of the careers of every major athlete he could access and found stories that these stars have never revealed.

Coachable is organized around the 10 Truths of Coachability that every athlete, team leader, manager, coach, and parent needs to know. Each truth is dissected and illuminated through exclusive interviews and stories from legendary coaches like Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, and Coach K; all-time greats like Stephen Curry and Landon Donovan; the rising stars of tomorrow, like Rose Zhang and Paolo Banchero; and some of the athletes most known for maximizing their talent, like Fred VanVleet and Richard Jefferson. Taken together, the stories and insights in Coachable are a fascinating window into how we can improve at whatever we do.

Review Quotes

"How do you reach your highest potential? Ric Bucher answers that question with terrific insight and purpose. Coachable is for athletes, parents, coaches, and leaders who understand that growth doesn't happen alone. Be coachable. Accept help. Allow yourself to get better."
--Mike Krzyzewski, five-time NCAA Champion, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and former head coach, U.S. Military Academy, Duke University, and USA Basketball

"A unique, impactful, and long-overdue book that draws on decades of reporting to explain what really distinguishes the great ones: knowing that others often see us more clearly than we do. While Bucher uses sports as his canvas, the lessons in these pages can be applied to any business that relies on teams and teamwork."
--Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class

"To get the best out of a group, leadership, collaboration, sacrifice, and empowerment are essential. Coachable does a great job clarifying the elements of the puzzle that will help individuals and teams reach their full potential."
--Steve Nash, two-time NBA MVP, eight-time All-Star, and former coach of the Brooklyn Nets

"Ric Bucher has written an essential book--a blueprint for anyone who wants to find the 2 percent difference that makes greatness."
--Sally Jenkins, author of The Right Call

"Coachable is rooted in the belief that improvement is a shared journey. After 18 years in the NBA, I've seen firsthand that the best players--and the best leaders--are the ones who remain teachable. Embrace guidance. Growth never stops."
--Kevin Love, NBA Champion and five-time NBA All-Star

"The stories in Coachable contain the secrets to success for anyone looking to maximize their potential."
--Rick Carlisle, two-time NBA Champion and coach of the Indiana Pacers

About the Author

Ric Bucher is an NBA analyst for Fox Sports and FS1, appearing primarily on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Ric's writing has been recognized by the Pro Basketball Writers Association and he has built an international podcast network, United We Cast, that includes his personal show, On The Ball with Ric Bucher, that has nearly one million downloads. He has previously covered the NBA for The Washington Post, ESPN and TNT. Ric raised two extremely coachable collegiate athletes and currently lives in Northern California with his wife, Corrine, and two frisbee-catching dogs, Frank and Beans.