Question: For how long did the author of STAT: Standing Tall and Talented book series have a career in basketball?

Context paragraphs:
Elise Allen: Elise Allen is an author and a television writer.  who has been active as a writer since 1966.  Allen has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Writing in a Pre-School Animated Program and Outstanding Writing in Animation for "Dinosaur Train" (2009).  Allen's TV writing work includes "The Lion Guard", "Dinosaur Train", "Sid the Science Kid", and some "Barbie (film series)" movies.  She is the author of the "Gabby Duran and the Unsittables" middle-grade book series, as well as the chapter book series "Jim Henson's Enchanted Sisters", and the stand-alone novel "Populazzi".  She has also co-authored Hilary Duff's "Elixir" series, and Bella Thorne's "Autumn Falls" series.

The Sea Beggars: The Sea Beggars is an incomplete book series by Paul Kearney.  It began with "The Mark of Ran" (2004) and tells the story of Rol Cortishane.  It is based almost entirely around ocean-based adventures.  A second volume, "This Forsaken Earth" (original working title "The Stars We Sail By") was published in July 2006.  The series was expected to be four books long and the third had nearly been completed when the series was unexpectedly dropped by Bantam in May 2007.  After signing a new contract with Solaris, Paul announced this would now be a three book series and that the last book in the series was due to be published as an omnibus in Autumn 2012.  However, due to the US publishers never releasing the rights for the final book, this remains unpublished.

Martha Cheney: Martha Cheney (born 1953) is the author of several titles in the Gifted & Talented book series, which sold more than one million copies.  She currently resides in Huson, Montana.  She was also a contributing lyricist to the acclaimed children's music videos, "Baby Songs".  whose words were set to the music of Hap Palmer, her former husband.  Cheney has a B.A. from University of North Carolina Wilmington (1975) and a M.A. (2002) and Ed.D. (2004) from the University of Montana.

Michael Grant (author, born 1954): Michael Grant (born July 26, 1954) is an American author of young adult fiction.  He has written over 150 books, though most are as a co-author with his wife.  Together they have written the "Animorphs" and the "Everworld" book series, as well as the "Making Out" book series.  Grant is the sole author of the "Gone" Series, "BZRK, the Messenger of Fear Series a"nd has a new series, the first of which is called ""Front Lines"", publishing in January 2016. "" Front Lines"" was originally called ""Soldier Girl"."

Rudy Gobert: Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel (born June 26, 1992) is a French professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  He also represents the French national basketball team in the international competitions.  Standing at 7 ft tall with a wingspan of 7 ft long, he plays at the center position.  He was the NBA blocks leader in the 2016–17 season, and was named an All-NBA Team member that season as well.

Amar'e Stoudemire: Amar'e Carsares Stoudemire ( ; born November 16, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who played the majority of his 15-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

K. A. Applegate: Katherine Alice Applegate (born October 9, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan) is an American young adult and children's fiction writer, best known as the author of the "Animorphs", "Remnants", "Everworld", and other book series.  She won the 2013 Newbery Medal for her 2012 children's novel "The One and Only Ivan".  Applegate's most popular books are science fiction, fantasy, and adventure novels.  She won the Best New Children's Book Series Award in 1997 in "Publishers Weekly".  Her book "Home of the Brave" has won two awards.  She also wrote a chapter book series in 2008-9 called "Roscoe Riley Rules".

Larry Carney: Larry Carney (born December 31, 1965 in Lapeer, Michigan) is a US children’s book author and song lyricist.  Most frequently writing in verse, he has created several book series which have been published by PC Treasures, Inc.  Among these are the Night Before Christmas… books, which feature the Christmas Eve adventures of traditional fairy tale characters, The Silly Series, the Look!  Book series, which focuses on imaginative play, and several bible story adaptations and Christian-themed children's books such as the Tiny Angels and My Own Prayers titles.  As an audio book producer/director, Carney has worked with such performers as UK actor Nigel Lambert and US theater veteran David DuChene.

Alice-Miranda: Alice-Miranda is a fictional main character in a children's book series of the same name.  The Alice-Miranda book series chronicles the adventures of a young student at the Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies.  "Alice-Miranda At School" is the first book in the series and was published in 2010.  The series was created by Australian author Jacqueline Harvey, a teacher and former Deputy Head of Junior School and Director of Development at Abbotsleigh.  Harvey created the Alice-Miranda series based on her teaching experiences at boarding schools.  The series is sold throughout Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Turkey, Hungary and Brazil.

STAT: Standing Tall And Talented: STAT: Standing Tall and Talented is a series of children's books written by NBA basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire.  The books are partially autobiographical and tell the story of an 11-year-old Amar'e who discovers his innate talent and has to overcome many obstacles to become the success he is today.

Supporting paragraphs: STAT: Standing Tall And Talented Amar'e Stoudemire
Answer: 15-year