Tomah, Wisconsin May 12, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Journey of Smooth J: Basketball to Poet is a raw, deeply personal collection exploring black love, loss, masculinity, faith, and the resilience that carries a man from one life into another.
Author and former basketball player Joseph Hill has announced the release of Journey of Smooth J: Basketball to Poet, a powerful poetry collection that traces his transformation from the hardwood floor to the written page. The book arrives as a fearless reckoning with identity, community, and the truths that too often go unspoken.
I want to give a voice to people who can't speak for themselves and give honesty about the issues going on in the world. — Joseph Hill, Author
Drawing on the discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that shaped his years as an athlete, Hill brings the same competitive drive to his poetry. His verses are unflinching: they confront the complexity of black masculinity, the weight of grief, the sustaining power of faith, and the quiet endurance of love all rendered with the kind of candor that invites readers to see themselves on the page.
The collection is a testament to what happens when a person refuses to let their story go untold. Hill writes not only from personal experience but as a witness to the broader human condition, crafting poems that are accessible yet profound, intimate yet universal. His message to every reader is direct: "Always be your authentic self."
About the Author
Joseph Hill, known by his poetic identity Smooth J, is a former basketball player who has turned into a poet. His debut collection, Journey of Smooth J: Basketball to Poet, marks his arrival as a distinctive literary voice committed to honesty, community, and the power of authentic storytelling.
Media Interview
Joseph Hill was featured on The Spotlight Network with Logan Crawford.
Book Availability
Journey of Smooth J: Basketball to Poet is available now in Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Smooth-J-Basketball-Poet/dp/B0GFQC8PJB
Author’s Website
Media Contact
Prime Seven Media primeseven.media@gmail.com +1 414-286-4043 201 Helen Walton Drive, Suite #2 https://primesevenmedia.com/
