John Grisham-Sooley

"Sooley" by John Grisham takes a departure from his usual legal thrillers, venturing into the world of college basketball. The novel centers on Samuel "Sooley" Sooleymon, a raw and exceptionally talented seventeen-year-old basketball player from war-torn South Sudan. Sooley gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to the United States with his national team to play in a showcase tournament, a dream chance to be scouted by American college coaches.

While Sooley possesses incredible natural athleticism – blazing speed and an astonishing vertical leap – his fundamental basketball skills are lacking. As he navigates a new country and faces the daunting prospect of impressing demanding coaches, devastating news reaches him from home: civil war has engulfed his village, his father is dead, his sister is missing, and his mother and younger brothers are in a refugee camp. Torn between his burgeoning opportunity and the desperate situation of his family, Sooley's future hangs in the balance.

Partly out of sympathy and recognizing his raw potential, a coach from North Carolina Central University offers Sooley a scholarship. Moving to Durham, Sooley enrolls and initially prepares to sit out his freshman year due to a more experienced team. However, his fierce determination to succeed and bring his family to America fuels relentless practice. When injuries and losses plague the team, Sooley gets his chance, and his extraordinary talent begins to shine, leading to an unexpected and captivating journey.

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