Ed Book
Edward F. Book (born September 23, 1970) is an American-New Zealand former professional basketball player. Listed at 210 cm and 112 kg, Book played the centre position.[1]
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | September 23, 1970 Buffalo, New York | |||||||||||||
| Nationality | American / New Zealand | |||||||||||||
| Listed height | 210 cm (6 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 112 kg (247 lb) | |||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||
| High school | McKinley (Buffalo, New York) | |||||||||||||
| College | Canisius (1988–1992) | |||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 1992 / Undrafted | |||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1994–2007 | |||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Otago Nuggets | |||||||||||||
| 1995–1996 | Palmerston North Jets | |||||||||||||
| 1997 | Wellington Saints | |||||||||||||
| 1998–2001 | Palmerston North Jets | |||||||||||||
| 2002–2007 | Nelson Giants | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
Medals
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Born in Buffalo, New York, Book was educated at Canisius College, but came to New Zealand in 1994 to play in the NBL. He was consistently one of the best post players in the league, winning Outstanding Forward in 1996, Outstanding Kiwi Forward in 2002 and named to the All-Star Five both years. He played in every NBL season between 1994 and 2007, winning a championship with the Nelson Giants in his final season.[2]
Book debuted for the Tall Blacks against China in 2002, filling the one available naturalized player spot under FIBA rules. He earned hero status during the world championship campaign after stepping into a starting role to fill in for Sean Marks. Book's three-point shooting ability made him a difficult match-up for opposing centres. Book helped New Zealand to a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and announced his retirement from the Tall Blacks immediately after the final.[1]
Book served as an assistant coach for the Nelson Giants in 2013 and 2014.[3]
As of October 2018, Book is a teacher at Waimea College. Book and his wife Lisa have three children: Josh, Amiee and Nick. All three of his children play basketball, while Lisa is a former national league guard and junior Tall Fern.[4]