Coach John Wooden
Coach John Wooden experienced a sports career like no other individual. Similar to Homer Stonebraker, John Wooden practiced his basketball skills with “a produce basket” nailed onto the wall of an outbuilding, on their family farm. He differentiated himself as a player for Coach Glen Curtis at Martinsville High School. His aggressive defensive skills, including diving for the ball, added a tremendous asset to his shooting skills he developed on the family farm. He led his high school team to three state final appearances, winning in 1927. He had his choice of universities to attend. John selected Purdue University and its highly regarded Coach Ward Lambert. Coach Lambert’s everlasting effect on John Wooden is readily admitted by John Wooden. John Wooden polished his playing skills under Coach Lambert, and his “fast break” revolution of the game. Purdue’s winning and successes earned John Wooden All-America honors as an intelligent point guard and aggressive playmaker in Lambert’s speedy game strategy. Wooden’s successes on the floor, enabled Coach Ward Lambert to validate and finalize his thoughts that he published in the chapters of his “Practical Basketball”. “Practical Basketball” is considered the early “Bible” of the game. Most contemporary basketball coaching philosophies practiced today, are based in some way on “Practical Basketball”, and the collaborative results of Coach Lambert, with player John Wooden. Learn more about John Wooden and the history of Basketball.