Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt;Former NBA star andlt;/bandgt;Anfernee and#8220;Pennyand#8221; Hardaway grew up in Binghampton, one of the roughest sections of Memphis. Due in no small part to the self-discipline and strong values his grandmother instilled in him, plus his singular talent, Penny beat the incredible odds and made it to the NBA. He was such a special player that it seemed inevitable that he would win at least one championship and end up in the Hall of Fame. But dogged by injuries, Penny was never able to live up to his full basketball star potential.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;After retirement Penny returned to Memphis and struggled with the question most professional athletes face when their bright-lights careers come to an end: What now? The unexpected answer came from Desmond Merriweather, one of Pennyand#8217;s oldest friends. Desmond had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and needed someone to replace him as head coach of the Lester Middle School basketball team in the same dangerous neighborhood where Penny grew up. Without hesitating, Penny said, and#8220;Iand#8217;m all in.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;iandgt;On These Courts andlt;/iandgt;is the moving story of Coach Penny helping his young players navigate their way through impossible circumstances: failing grades, incarcerated fathers, gang pressures, and the crime-ridden streets of Memphis. But Penny never shied away. He selflessly provided on-the-court coaching, helped kids with homework, and became a positive role model who is committed to staying involved in their lives. But this is not just a story about Penny; the true stars are the kids on the Lester Lions teamand#8212;Robert Washington, Reggie Green, Kobe Freeman, and Desmondand#8217;s own son Nick Merriweatherand#8212; who rewarded Penny with his first championship season, winning the state title by one point. A penny.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;A story of hope and inspiration, struggle, and triumph, andlt;iandgt;On These Courts andlt;/iandgt;reveals the importance and power of taking a stand in a community and learning what it truly means to give back.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;bandgt;A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Pennyand#8217;s FastBreak Courts, part of Penny Hardawayand#8217;s ongoing efforts to help at-risk youth in the Memphis community.andlt;/bandgt;
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and#8220;Penny is a superstar on the court and an even bigger superstar for giving back and helping the youth of Memphis."
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"The story of former NBA star Anfernee and#8220;Pennyand#8221; Hardawayand#8217;s return to the mean streets of his youth to lead a team of disadvantaged middle schoolers to basketball glory.and#8230;genuinely touching moments, and itand#8217;s always uplifting to see a wealthy superstar give more than just money to help his community."
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"I've known Penny Hardaway since he was 16, and even at that age you could see there was something different
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and#8220;Recommended not just to NBA fans but to fans of uplifting sports stories and those who cling to the belief that social change really can be effected, even if only a little at a time.and#8221;
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"A made-for-Hollywood story."
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andlt;divandgt;Penny is a superstar on the court and an even bigger superstar for giving back and helping the youth of Memphis."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"A made-for-Hollywood story."andlt;/divandgt;
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"Fantastic."
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"A feel-good story that begs for a where-are-they-now follow-up in 10 years."
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andlt;divandgt;"I've known Penny Hardaway since he was 16, and even at that age you could see there was something different
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andlt;divandgt;"Fantastic."andlt;/divandgt;
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and#8220;I've known Penny Hardaway since he was 16, and even at that age you could see there was something different about this skinny, lanky kid with game out if this world. You could sense there was more to him than what he was currently being called for..... 'On these courts' gives insight to the man through the spirit of his Grandmother, friends, his hometown Memphis, and the kids (just like us) he didn't forget about!and#8221;
Review
and#8220;A made-for-Hollywood story."
Synopsis
The incredible true story of the NBA’s once future star, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, who finally fulfills his basketball promise when he takes over coaching the Lester Middle School team in the roughest section of Memphis—eventually leading the boys all the way to the state finals and earning him his first-ever championship.Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway was once on track to be the NBA’s next big thing, following in the footsteps of such greats as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. He even had his own Spike Lee-produced Nike campaign. It seemed inevitable that one day he would win at least one championship and end up in the Hall of Fame. But plagued with injuries, Penny never lived up to his full potential.
After returning to his hometown of Memphis, Penny struggled with the question most professional athletes face when their whirlwind career comes to an end: what now? The answer came from one of Penny’s oldest friends, Desmond Merriweather. Merriweather had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and needed someone to replace him as coach of the Lester Middle School basketball team.
On These Courts is the moving story of a coach helping his young players navigate their way through impossible circumstances: failing grades, incarcerated fathers, gang pressures, and the crime-ridden streets of Memphis. But Penny never shied away. He selflessly provided on-the-court coaching, support with homework, and a positive role model committed to staying involved in their lives. In turn, the players gave him his first championship season, eventually winning the state title by one point.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Wayne Drashandlt;/bandgt; is a staff writer and senior producer for CNN.com. He was named one of the best online writers in America by the National Headliner Awards in 2012.andnbsp;Drash is also a member of CNN's award-winning teams that have brought home Peabodys, Webbys, and Emmys for breaking news and feature writing over the years.andnbsp;Drash holds a B.A. in English literature from Washington University in St. Louis and a M.A. in journalism from the University of Iowa. He also coaches grade-school basketball. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.