Spurs forward Boris Diaw wrote a children's book this off-season

San Antonio Spurs forward and renaissance man Boris Diaw wrote a children's book about African wildlife, which comes out in July.

SI Wire | Jul 14, 2015

Spurs forward Boris Diaw wrote a children's book this off-season /

In midst of a magical off-season that's included trips to Africa, Asia, South America, his native continent of Europe, the Caribbean, the Cannes Film Festival and possibly the moon (wouldn't put it past him), San Antonio Spurs forward and renaissance man Boris Diaw has added yet another life experience to his lengthy list: children's book author.

Diaw, 33, has teamed with National Geographic to bless us (well, it's for kids, but honestly who wouldn't want to read it) with the aptly titled Hoops to Hippos: True Stories of a Basketball Star on Safari.

Diaw, according to a publisher's press release (as reported by Yahoo), ventured from his native France to Senegal at the age of seven, "armed with a disposable camera and a sense of adventure," and fell in love with photography and wildlife. And who are we to doubt young Boris?

A hyena apparently once ate his dinner, he's had run-ins with hippos and elephants, and apparently also got his car stuck in the mud next to a leopard. No word on any close calls with coach Gregg Popovich, but, as they say, that's why you read from front to back.

Per the book's official overview:

NBA star Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs takes young readers on safari as he explores his off-court passion: wildlife photography! Join Diaw as he escapes from stampeding wildebeests, comes face-to-face with lions, and discovers why you should never come between a hippo and its watery home. Through engaging stories and photos by Diaw, readers will discover a whole new side to this basketball champ.

Here's a sample page, via National Geographic. Wild dog packs are vicious.