Winning Basketball Fundamentals

Lee Rose has been one of basketball’s most knowledgeable and respected coaches over the past 50 years at the high school, college, and professional levels. Winning Basketball Fundamentals presents his proven program for success, the same one he used in taking teams from two different colleges to the Final Four.

From offense to defense to transition play and special situations, Rose covers every tactical facet of the game and adds his insights for improving execution in each. He presents popular offensive systems—the Triangle, LA, Flex, Dribble Drive, and Motion—as well as man-to-man and zone defensive schemes, with suggestions for when and how to deploy and adjust them.

Rose also teaches all the essential individual skills required for performing those tactics proficiently and consistently, with special tips for executing when the game is on the line. Perimeter- and post-specific instruction and drills will help players build on their skills through practice.

Coach Rose also shares his Performance Rating System—a tool he’s used time and again to develop some of the game’s top players. Rose explains not only how to identify strengths and weaknesses but also how to use that information to maximize the potential of individual players and the team.

Flashy and fluke plays might be fun to watch, but you can’t build a successful season or career on them. Winning Basketball Fundamentals is the proven formula for developing the solid individual skills and team tactics you can count on game after game.

Lee Rose began his coaching career starting at the high school level and then moving on to assistant coaching jobs at the college level before landing the head coaching and athletic director position at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

In 1975, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte hired Rose as head coach and athletic director, and UNCC was soon rewarded for the move. Rose compiled a 72-18 (.800) record in three seasons at the school, and he was named the Sporting News National Coach of the Year in 1977 after leading UNC Charlotte to the NIT finals in 1976 and the NCAA Final Four in 1977.

Rose left UNCC in 1978 for Purdue University, where he took his first team to the NIT finals and the next year’s squad to the 1980 Final Four, compiling a 50-18 record as the Boilermakers’ coach. He then accepted the position of head coach at the University of South Florida, a school with a basketball program only 10 years old at the time.

As a college head coach, Rose compiled a .705 winning percentage (388-162). Equally impressive, he was named Coach of the Year in every conference in which he coached: Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Sun Belt, and Big Ten. He was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

After his collegiate career, Rose went on to serve as an assistant coach for five NBA teams: San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, and Charlotte Bobcats. In addition, Lee was the vice president of player personnel for the Milwaukee Bucks. Rose has also served as an NBA consultant and coaching supervisor for NBA Developmental League coaches. The NBA also recruited him to coordinate and conduct the on-court instruction and drills at the NBA pre-draft camp for over 15 years.

One of Rose’s proudest accomplishments is the work that he and his wife, Eleanor, do to reverse low educational attainment in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District in conjunction with Forward in the Fifth (a nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the Center for Rural Development). Since 2005, Rose has been to 42 counties in this Appalachian region. He has spoken to more than 11,000 middle school students, encouraging them to stay in school and to use their education as a stepping stone for future success.

Lee is still actively involved with Forward in the Fifth in Kentucky and works with the Men's Homeless Shelter of Charlotte. He and his wife live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“This incisive analysis of basketball’s essentials will be an invaluable guide to coaches and players alike.”

Jordan Cohn-- NBA Scout

“Lee Rose’s ability to break down the game and communicate his thoughts is on a level with the best in basketball."

Mike Pratt-- Basketball Radio Analyst, University of Kentucky Hall of Fame Member

“Lee Rose has developed hundreds of players throughout his legendary career. In Winning Basketball Fundamentals, he continues to share his winning coaching strategy and offers the best drills to refine individual skills and team execution.”

Ed Conroy-- Head Basketball Coach Tulane University

“The game needs more of Lee Rose’s coaching style. Winning Basketball Fundamentals exemplifies the teaching that made him one of the most respected coaches in the game.”

Tom Crean-- Head Basketball Coach Indiana University

“Coach Lee Rose provides an excellent resource for basketball enthusiasts. His understanding of the game is unmatched, and his commitment to excellence, integrity and hard work are exemplary. Winning Basketball Fundamentals is an outstanding primer on the game of basketball, and the basic principles, outlined by Coach Rose, are applicable to life in general – i.e., developing individual skills, team execution, and having a winning attitude. And Coach Rose’s character and commitment to education and service are beyond reproach. I recommend this book.”

John E. Chowning -- Vice President for Church & External Relations

Executive Assistant to the President

Campbellsville University

“This book is a must read for all basketball coaches and those wanting to better understand the minds of these professionals. While the book can be technical in some places, Coach Rose’s knowledge and proven system for success is superb. His recipe for success on the court and in life can be found in this resource.”

Jim Tackett -- Executive Director

Forward in the Fifth