Professional athletes are joining the trend of book clubs to bond with their teammates, a surprising development in the sports world. NBA players from the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes, are encouraging more team members to join their book club, as revealed in a video on the league’s YouTube channel. Similarly, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, including Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea, have established a book club, where the mystery surrounding their reading choices has become a running joke among players.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, such as the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, are also engaging in book club activities to foster camaraderie. Claire Dalton, a forward for the Toronto Sceptres, expressed their shared love for reading during an episode of “The Next Chapter.” Dalton, along with the team’s goalie Raygan Kirk, initiated the book club as a way to relax and discuss their recent reads with teammates.
The Sceptres’ book club gatherings over coffee during the season have been a hit, with discussions prompted by Google and Reddit. Their book selections have included works like “Gone Before Goodbye” by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben, “The Heir Apparent” by Rebecca Armitage, and “Palm Villa” by Ashley Hartley. At one point during the regular season, around 15 players were actively participating in the book club.
In the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo team, formed through an expansion draft, has embraced the book club concept inspired by guard Kia Nurse and teammate Nyara Sabally. Nurse emphasized the importance of building off-court chemistry through activities like the book club, enhancing team cohesion and friendship. The Tempo’s discussions about their first book, the thriller “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, took place during travels, reflecting their commitment to the club.
For athletes like Nurse, reading serves as an escape from the pressures of sports, allowing them to explore different worlds and characters. The impact of these book clubs extends beyond the teams, with social media posts generating significant interest among fans. The Toronto Sceptres even collaborated with The Children’s Book Bank for a community event, promoting reading and literacy among children in Toronto.
By showcasing athletes’ involvement in book clubs, these initiatives aim to break stereotypes and inspire children to embrace reading as a rewarding and enjoyable activity. The positive response from the community highlights the influence of sports figures in promoting literacy and diverse reading role models.
