UCLA legend John Vallely details the importance of John Wooden’s teachings in a new book

Former UCLA men’s basketball point guard John Vallely is co-publishing a book with former Division 1 collegiate strength and conditioning coach Paul Weissenstein. Vallely, who played for the Bruins from 1968-70, tells the story of his journey to UCLA and honors Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame head coach John Wooden in a new book titled “The Pyramid Principle.”

The title of Vallely’s book is a tribute to Wood’s famous “Pyramid of Success”, which highlights 25 key characteristics necessary to achieve excellence. Wood instilled this ideology in his players throughout his 29-year coaching career at the University of California, Los Angeles. Although Wood died in 2010, his “Pyramid of Success” remains a significant part of UCLA athletics and beyond.

“A beautifully written story,” Gregory Craig, president of the Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Anderson at the University of California, Los Angeles, said of the book in a press release. “I reflected and learned valuable life lessons. It is a tribute to an era of coaching and teaching that has left us, but is still of great value. These timeless lessons and challenges remind us that life is fleeting and to be treasured.”

Entering the University of California, Los Angeles as a college transfer, Vallely played alongside NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabaar for two seasons with the Bruins. Vallely, who was UCLA’s third-leading scorer in his first season, helped the Bruins win another NCAA championship. In 1970, the All-American entered the NBA draft and was selected 14th overall by the Atlanta Hawks. He spent time with both the Hawks and Houston Rockets.

After a successful basketball career, Vallely’s life changed forever in 1991. His daughter Erin died on September 20 after a three-year battle with childhood cancer. She was only 12 years old. A few years later, Vallely was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a potentially fatal form of cancer. After two battles with the disease, Vallely has since been cancer-free.

In “The Pyramid Principle,” Vallely explains how Wood’s “Pyramid of Success” became especially relevant during this period of his life. Vallely realized that the lessons he learned while studying under Wood extended beyond the sport of basketball. At the top of Wood’s “Pyramid of Success” is “faith through prayer,” a value that gave Vallely strength in the face of difficulties.

Currently, Vallely is closely involved with the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation, serving as a member of the Board of Directors. With the V. Foundation for Cancer Research, Vallely founded the Dribble Over Cancer event, which will be held on Sunday at Drake Stadium at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, the “Principle of the Pyramid” aims to raise awareness of cancer research, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this cause.

On Sunday at the 17th annual Dribble Over Cancer event, both Vallely and co-author Weissenstein will be on hand to sign books. Vallely’s book, expected to be a New York Times bestseller, will be released on November 19 and will be available wherever books are sold.