An African Rebound

"A deeply touching and fascinating novel. This is a must-read for anyone familiar with the game of basketball" (Julius Erving, NBA Hall of Famer).

It's 1989, and Jim Keating has hit absolute rock bottom. He lost his wife to cancer, his house to bankruptcy, and his job as a college basketball coach to what many outsiders believed to be a racially insensitive, career-ending decision. Attempting to pick up the pieces and start life over, Jim returns home to Worcester and rents a small apartment.

Word gets out that the legendary coach has returned home and everyone is eager to see him, despite what they've read in the news. Recognizing his unflagging passion for basketball and commitment to the players he coached, an old friend makes Jim an offer designed to help him restart his career.

Soon, Jim finds himself in Burundi, Africa, where he is to create a basketball league that will bring two warring tribes—the Hutus and the Tutsis—together peacefully. These tribes have been in a civil war for years, and government officials believe one of the ways to guide them to peace is through sports. In Burundi, Jim has the chance to recommit himself to basketball, rediscover his true self, and bring peace to a nation in turmoil.

"Wonderfully crafted . . . Dan Doyle spins a tale of good and evil in Africa while evoking memories of some of basketball's greatest players of all-time, including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and The Big O." —Joe Mitch, executive director, US Basketball Writers Association