HOT CORNER

What: “Be Quick -- But Don’t Hurry!”

Author: Andrew Hill with John Wooden.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster.

Price: $20.00.

Over the years, John Wooden has touched thousands with his famed Pyramid of Success, an important tool behind UCLA’s dominant basketball program of the 1960s and 1970s. But not all of his players took to his teachings right away.

Andrew Hill, an All-City player at University High in the late 1960s, was one of those players. Hill bumped heads with Wooden throughout his disappointing career playing for UCLA. Although he was a member of three national championship teams, Hill rarely played and was known for his rocky relationship with Wooden, who even suggested that he transfer following his sophomore season.

In his book, Hill gives readers a unique look at what it was like to be a bench player under Wooden and it was anything but easy. By the time Hill graduated, he couldn’t wait to get on with his life and leave his Bruin basketball experience behind.

That’s when Hill’s story takes a sharp turn. After working his way up the ladder in the entertainment world, Hill found himself as president of CBS Productions in charge of several hit television shows, including “Touched by an Angel,” “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Caroline in the City.” That’s when Hill realized that Wooden’s teachings were directly responsible for his professional success.

Hill reunites with Wooden 25 years after graduating from UCLA and they produce the 21 secrets to the Pyramid of Success. With phrases such as “Keep it Simple” to “Great Leaders Give Credit to Others, but Accept the Blame Themselves,” Hill and Wooden produce a book that’s a must read for not only those involved in sports but those who want to reach their goals in life.

-- Lonnie White