Sammy Wong, All-American - Softcover

Rosen, Charley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1609805453 ISBN 13: 9781609805456

Publisher: Seven Stories Press, 2014

Synopsis

Sammy Wong, All-American tells the tale of an Asian basketball player’s rise and stumble. American basketball may be among the most international of team sports, yet until recently Asians were unwelcome. On his high school, college, and professional teams, Sammy isn’t given much of a chance. Then when he does get into games, he turns out to be the kind of player who can turn a losing team into a winning one. Wong’s career turns on chance opportunities and unexpected twists as much as on talent, persistence, and hard work. There are great scenes that describe pivotal plays on the hardwood floor as only Charley Rosen can. Like all Rosen’s novels, this is about basketball as experienced from the inside.

About this title

About the Author:

A native of the Bronx and longtime pal of basketball guru Phil Jackson, CHARLEY ROSEN led the league in technical fouls during each of his six years as a coach in the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association. Since then he has become the world’s foremost writer of fiction and nonfiction on the subject of basketball, chronicling the drama that takes place both on and off the court. His many novels include The House of Moses All-Stars, a New York Times Notable Book, and Sammy Wong: All-American. His non-fiction works include The Scandals of ’51: How the Gamblers Almost Killed College Basketball and More than a Game, with Phil Jackson. Rosen is an analyst for hoopshype.com and a devotee of the Triangle Offense. He lives in Accord, NY.

Review:

Sammy Wong was born in New York City’s Chinatown to a bitter father and a fearful mother. When he isn’t working in the same restaurant that employs his father, Sammy studies and grows, attracting the attention of a local basketball coach who teaches Sammy the fine points of the game. A scholarship to a small upstate college ensues. Despite outstanding grades, Sammy pursues a basketball career, bouncing around Europe and eventually signing to play on the team opposing a Globetrotter-like touring comedy team. Rosen has spent a lifetime in basketball as a college and semipro player, coach, and then as a writer of fiction and nonfiction about the sport. As well as he knows basketball, he knows the human heart equally well. Sammy is a young man born into one culture, with its beliefs, prejudices, and customs, trying to make his way in an entirely different world. That’s a significant burden, borne by many American immigrants. Sammy is just one fictional example who happens to play basketball, and he is a memorable character in a memorable novel.— Wes Lukowsky, Booklist

About this edition

• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1609805453
• ISBN 13: 9781609805456
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240