Hoops By Walter Dean Myers

Hoops, by Walter Dean Myers is a story of a young adult named Lonnie Jackson who didn't get a chance to play basketball in high-school. Lonnie struggles with the fact that he is growing up in Harlem, New York. He fights to be a good kid and not get caught up with the drug dealers and kids related to drugs. Lonnie has a lot of friends he hangs out with such as Paul and Ox, two of is very close friends. This novel also has a romantic element to it when Lonnie realizes that his childhood friend Mary-Ann, is more than a friend to him and he is confused about what to do about the situation. He practiced playing basketball daily for when the time comes to play again, he'd be ready. He recognizes that a new basketball tournament opened up called the "Tournament of Champions." The tournament included the entire city of Harlem and was a 64 team competition. But little does he know, that this will be the hardest competition he will ever go through.

The one holding the ball is Lonnie Jackson

Lonnie's coach, Cal, trains him harder than he ever has been before. Cal knows Lonnie has potential to go into. He'd played professional basketball when he was a younger man and he wants Lonnie to get to the "pros" as well. So, Cal works him hard to be the best player Lonnie can be.