When you think of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, you're more likely to think of the 2.18m tall NBA legend who won six MVP's and six Championships than Sherlock Holmes.

But that may soon change, as Abdul-Jabbar has just released a book about the legendary Victorian detective's brother, Mycroft.

Mycroft Holmes, incredibly Abdul-Jabbar's tenth co-written book, the ninth since retiring from basketball, details the back story of Sherlock's older and more talented brother. The origin-story adventure tracks Mycroft's early days as a young government secretary, and the case that leads to his sullen, sedentary portrayal by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the original Sherlock adventures.

Abdul-Jabbar is, in fact, an acclaimed writer and critic. He often discusses race and religion in magazines and television, and Mycroft Holmes also touches on these themes.

He has always considered himself a writer, telling Sporting News in February 2015, "I think writing has basically been what I wanted to do the whole time. If I had to have a real job, it probably would have involved writing in some way. But, obviously, having a career in the NBA, that affected my life."

Abdul-Jabbar released his first book, the autobiography Giant Steps, written with Peter Knobler, in 1983, six years before retiring. His second book was written prior to retirement, but released after he stepped off the court for the last time in 1990.

The former Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks' legend was a record 19-time NBA All-Star during his glittering career from 1969-1990.