Is this Kansas basketball book on your summer reading list?

Kansas basketball fans talk a lot about the Phog. Now for your summer reading a relatively new book on the famous coach.

Beware of the Phog. It’s a part of the great tradition of Kansas basketball at Allen Fieldhouse. However, many younger Kansas basketball fans do not know much about the man whose name is on the fieldhouse.

Since it is July 4, it might be time for you to add a book to your summer reading list. Consider Scott Morrow Johnson’s “Phog: The most influential man in basketball.” The book published in November of last year is worth your time. It is available in hardback and digital formats for your Kindle or Nook. I have both and decided to get it from Barnes and Noble. One reason, B&N included online reviews of the book by former Kansas basketball players.

"His photo hangs on my office wall as a sign of my great respect and gratitude for the many contributions he made to the game that I love.”—Mark Turgeon, men’s basketball coach at the University of Maryland"

A number of years ago, someone admitted to me they actually thought the statue in front of Allen Fieldhouse was James Naismith – the man who invented basketball. They had not been in Lawrence and only seen the fieldhouse on TV games. They were big Kansas basketball fans and thought they knew the story. As a matter of fact, they didn’t know much at all.

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This was long before the court in Allen Fieldhouse was named for Naismith or the Naismith statue at the new DeBruce Center. Now fans need to learn a little more about Naismith’s most important pupil. The man referred to as the father of college basketball coaches. The book reviews aren’t spectacular but it is ideal for light summer fun reading. Hey, Danny Manning liked it and you will too.

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