Poetry. African American Studies. CD Included. Poet, basketball player, and outspoken anti-war activists, Etan Thomas is MORE THAN AN ATHLETE. In this, his first collection of poems, the center for the NBA's Washington Wizards defies the stereotype of the a-political athlete, and plants his roots in his budding literary career. With the conviction of a Bill Russell, and the poetic finesse of Muhammad Ali, Thomas takes on controversial topics such as The Death Penalty, the GOP, racism and abortion. This young, fiery poet approaches his work fearlessly, writing in the strong, historical lineage of his literary elders Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez, and in the tradition of contemporary poets Ras Baraka, Tony Medina and asha bandele. MORE THAN AN ATHLETE is more than a book of poetry; it's a statement about our generation not being confined to a box, a definition or a label. Some of us play ball, and some of us write poems. Etan Thomas has mastered the art of both.