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Digital Audiobook
Hoops by John Ballard

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What to expect

By the groundbreaking author of the award-winning Monster—a visionary who influenced and inspired a generation—this fast-paced and poignant story reveals the fierce underworld of sports.

 

All eyes are on seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson while he practices with his team for a city-wide basketball Tournament of Champions. His coach, Cal, knows Lonnie has what it takes to be a pro basketball player, but warns him about giving in to the pressure. Cal knows because he, too, once had the chance—but sold out.

 

As the tournament nears, Lonnie learns that some heavy bettors want Cal to keep him on the bench so that the team will lose the championship. As the last seconds of the game tick away, Lonnie and Cal must make a decision. Are they willing to blow the chance of a lifetime? 

 

An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults 

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Details

Author
John Ballard
Narrator
Ruffin Prentiss
Duration
5 hours 22 minutes
Release Date
9 September 2025
ISBN
9798897568321
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Recorded Books, Inc.
Genre
Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Places and peoples, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Sporting stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ball games and sports: Basketball

Synopsis

By the groundbreaking author of the award-winning Monster—a visionary who influenced and inspired a generation—this fast-paced and poignant story reveals the fierce underworld of sports. All eyes are on seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson while he practices with his team for a city-wide basketball Tournament of Champions. His coach, Cal, knows Lonnie has what it takes to be a pro basketball player, but warns him about giving in to the pressure. Cal knows because he, too, once had the chance—but sold out. As the tournament nears, Lonnie learns that some heavy bettors want Cal to keep him on the bench so that the team will lose the championship. As the last seconds of the game tick away, Lonnie and Cal must make a decision. Are they willing to blow the chance of a lifetime?  An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults 

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