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On These Courts
Former NBA star Anfernee “Penny” 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.
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 Penny’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
On These Courts 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 team—Robert Washington, Reggie Green, Kobe Freeman, and Desmond’s own son Nick Merriweather— who rewarded Penny with his first championship season, winning the state title by one point. A penny.
A story of hope and inspiration, struggle, and triumph, On These Courts reveals the importance and power of taking a stand in a community and learning what it truly means to give back.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Penny’s FastBreak Courts, part of Penny Hardaway’s ongoing efforts to help at-risk youth in the Memphis community.
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 Penny’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
On These Courts 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 team—Robert Washington, Reggie Green, Kobe Freeman, and Desmond’s own son Nick Merriweather— who rewarded Penny with his first championship season, winning the state title by one point. A penny.
A story of hope and inspiration, struggle, and triumph, On These Courts reveals the importance and power of taking a stand in a community and learning what it truly means to give back.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Penny’s FastBreak Courts, part of Penny Hardaway’s ongoing efforts to help at-risk youth in the Memphis community.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 30, 2018
I borrowed this book from my Dad because Penny Hardaway, Hometown Hero and NBA Superstar, has just been named the Head Coach of the University of Memphis Tiger Basketball team. I was born and raised in Memphis, TN, so I have known about Hardaway since he played for the Tigers back in the 90's. I was looking for fluffy entertainment and instead found a deep, impactful story of the inner city of Memphis. Talk about humbling... This story focuses on the Lester Middle School basketball team. This school is in the middle of the "hood" for lack of a better term. This is one of the poorest and roughest areas in Memphis. You might see 20 people packed into a tiny home where people struggle to put food on the table. This is the world Penny Hardaway grew up in. He became one of the biggest NBA stars with a shoe line second only to Michael Jordan. Literally, he is the richest African American to ever come out of the City of Memphis.
What makes him different from any other NBA star??? He came back. He quietly embraced and lifted up a community where every one else had given up. He drilled into these kids the importance of education and became a father and disciplinarian to them. In so many ways this book is heartbreaking. They spend a lot of time talking about Dez. Shortly after this book was written, Dez passed away. Hardaway later moved to East High School and just won 3 straight State Championships. He will tell you it was all for Dez. They mention other Memphis greats, namely Lorenzen Wright. I found it interesting that Chris Garner makes the comment in this book that he never believed that Lorenzen was killed because he was involved in drugs. As of today, Wright's ex wife and another man are being charged and tried for his murder in Memphis courts.
I see other names I recognize. Some of these high schoolers are now making names for themselves. One of them, Dedric Lawson, played for Memphis for 2 years before transferring out. But, a 6th grader on this Lester Middle School team, Alex Lomax, just committed to play for the Memphis Tigers starting this fall.
Memphians often say outsiders don't understand what Memphis Basketball means to this city. They are correct. This book paints the best picture I have ever seen. What is amazing, is the book is written by someone who grew up in East Memphis, the affluent area on the "other side of the tracks". Memphis is plagued by racial tension and divides. There is no getting around it. This book made me appreciate the many blessings I have, but also made me vow to look around me and make a difference. Even if it's just one person I can help, I can do SOMETHING!
I HIGHLY recommend this book for any sports fan, but also for anyone who wants an honest look into an inner city community.
What makes him different from any other NBA star??? He came back. He quietly embraced and lifted up a community where every one else had given up. He drilled into these kids the importance of education and became a father and disciplinarian to them. In so many ways this book is heartbreaking. They spend a lot of time talking about Dez. Shortly after this book was written, Dez passed away. Hardaway later moved to East High School and just won 3 straight State Championships. He will tell you it was all for Dez. They mention other Memphis greats, namely Lorenzen Wright. I found it interesting that Chris Garner makes the comment in this book that he never believed that Lorenzen was killed because he was involved in drugs. As of today, Wright's ex wife and another man are being charged and tried for his murder in Memphis courts.
I see other names I recognize. Some of these high schoolers are now making names for themselves. One of them, Dedric Lawson, played for Memphis for 2 years before transferring out. But, a 6th grader on this Lester Middle School team, Alex Lomax, just committed to play for the Memphis Tigers starting this fall.
Memphians often say outsiders don't understand what Memphis Basketball means to this city. They are correct. This book paints the best picture I have ever seen. What is amazing, is the book is written by someone who grew up in East Memphis, the affluent area on the "other side of the tracks". Memphis is plagued by racial tension and divides. There is no getting around it. This book made me appreciate the many blessings I have, but also made me vow to look around me and make a difference. Even if it's just one person I can help, I can do SOMETHING!
I HIGHLY recommend this book for any sports fan, but also for anyone who wants an honest look into an inner city community.
August 10, 2013
On These Courts by Wayne Drash recounts former NBA star Penny Hardaway's efforts at coaching and mentoring the Lester Lions, a team of middle schoolers from a rough Memphis neighborhood to the state championship. Hardaway's involvement grew out of his friendship with the team's old coach, who was struggling with colon cancer and then the chemotherapy that followed. The book is an uplifting and inspirational chronicle of Hardaway's attempts to pursue a championship that eluded him during his professional career and more importantly protect his players from the temptations surrounding them. On These Courts tells a heart-warming story about a commendable individual and makes for a decent read. While it always kept my interest, the book is held back due to its somewhat generic approach to the "inspirational story about a ragtag inner-city team vying for a state title" genre that is a common topic in sports books and movies. It is still a worthy read, especially for basketball fans and high school and youth coaches.
Drash, a Memphis native, currently writes for CNN.com and actually played with Hardaway in a high school basketball camp. The book grew out of 2012 article he penned for the site about Hardaway's efforts at Lester. Sometimes books that evolve from articles can feel bloated or fluffed as writers awkwardly attempt to pass the length threshold from magazine feature to book but in this case the elongated format allows Drash to further explore the socioeconomics of Memphis and profile the disparate and often colorful characters inhabiting the team's rough Binghampton neighborhood. On These Courts truly shines when Drash focuses on off-the-court matters such as how Lester Middle School has always been a safe haven from gangs and graffiti artists and outlining the staggering obstacles (abusive parents, drugs, gangs) the players must contend with. Drash also is able to interview two gang members who offer surprisingly cogent insights into the trappings of gangs. The author also provides a rough biography of Hardaway and how he managed to rise from his surroundings (including being shot in the foot during college when he visited a gang-infested neighborhood) to stardom at the University of Memphis and eventually in the NBA. He was helped along by the discipline-heavy grandmother who raised him as well as several positive male role models and mentors, and he was able to develop from an academically-ineligible college freshman to a member of the dean's list with a 3.4 GPA.
The book is primarily focused on the 2012 campaign of the Lester Lions, initially coached by Hardaway's childhood friend Desmond Merriweather. Merriweather was beset by colon cancer and his condition became so bad that funeral arrangements were made and several of his players were erroneously told he had actually died. The coach was able to return to his duties after recovering but he eventually entered a joint coaching relationship with Hardaway after his friend took a strong interest in the team. Hardaway donates enormous amounts of his time into coaching the Lions, even though he has no obligations to do so (and he is doing pretty well for himself financially. He and Michael Jordan are the only retired NBA-ers who retain Nike shoe contracts). Hardaway knows the role that positive adult male figures played in his life and former star likely wanted to pay it forward to the next generation of Binghampton kids. Led by their stars Reggie Green and Robert Washington, the Lions seem primed for a run at the state playoffs under the guidance of their two coaches. Hardaway devotes even more of his time into mentoring his players outside of basketball and stressing the importance of academics to their lives, garnering some impressive results.
The fundamental elements of the book are certainly heartwarming and uplifting, but Drash is also treading on rather familiar territory to sports fans. Hardway's players even refer to him as Coach Carter, as the two share quite a bit in common, along with real-life coaches like Bob Hurley (subject of a recent documentary and book). This makes the execution of telling the team's story especially crucial in order to separate it from the rest of the genre, and it comes up short in some aspects. Drash's prose is sometimes littered with cliches and lame similes, and the Lions' contest against a school located near the airport (bearing the unfortunate name of the Jets) brings out the worst in him as far as puns are concerned. While there is some profanity and the discussion of some violent and sexual happenings, there are points where it really read like a book for teenagers. Its not something I am going to ding the book for (teenagers should be allowed to have books written for them too) but it is something I feel that is worth mentioning. Thankfully (to make things interesting for the reader anyway), the Lions partake in many competitive games and do not simply drub all of their opponents and even lose a few games during the regular season. While Drash displays a keen eye for detail in describing Binghampton and his environs and clearly knows his childhood city well, his on-court passages are a bit dry and newspaper recap-y, making it harder to get emotionally invested in the action. There are also a few head-scratching strategic moments (particularly in the last game, though I wont spoil anything) that remind the reader that these matchups are ultimately being contested by thirteen and fourteen year-olds. Drash is much stronger when he describes off-court activities like the Lions' support in the neighborhood (including gang truces and carpooling grandmothers) and profiling Hardaway and several other talented Memphians who fell short of their NBA dreams.
In Sum
Though the basic premise On These Courts will seem familiar to someone who has read their fair share of moving sports stories, I was entertained throughout and largely enjoyed the book despite its flaws. High school readers, coaches, hardcore basketball fans, and the 99% of the population that does not feel obligated to consume every book or documentary (both inspiring and otherwise) tangentially related to sports will probably enjoy the book even more than I did. A portion of the book's proceeds will go to Fast Break Courts, Hardaway's program to assist at-risk Memphis youth.
7/10
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary electronic copy of the book from Touchstone Publicity to review.
Drash, a Memphis native, currently writes for CNN.com and actually played with Hardaway in a high school basketball camp. The book grew out of 2012 article he penned for the site about Hardaway's efforts at Lester. Sometimes books that evolve from articles can feel bloated or fluffed as writers awkwardly attempt to pass the length threshold from magazine feature to book but in this case the elongated format allows Drash to further explore the socioeconomics of Memphis and profile the disparate and often colorful characters inhabiting the team's rough Binghampton neighborhood. On These Courts truly shines when Drash focuses on off-the-court matters such as how Lester Middle School has always been a safe haven from gangs and graffiti artists and outlining the staggering obstacles (abusive parents, drugs, gangs) the players must contend with. Drash also is able to interview two gang members who offer surprisingly cogent insights into the trappings of gangs. The author also provides a rough biography of Hardaway and how he managed to rise from his surroundings (including being shot in the foot during college when he visited a gang-infested neighborhood) to stardom at the University of Memphis and eventually in the NBA. He was helped along by the discipline-heavy grandmother who raised him as well as several positive male role models and mentors, and he was able to develop from an academically-ineligible college freshman to a member of the dean's list with a 3.4 GPA.
The book is primarily focused on the 2012 campaign of the Lester Lions, initially coached by Hardaway's childhood friend Desmond Merriweather. Merriweather was beset by colon cancer and his condition became so bad that funeral arrangements were made and several of his players were erroneously told he had actually died. The coach was able to return to his duties after recovering but he eventually entered a joint coaching relationship with Hardaway after his friend took a strong interest in the team. Hardaway donates enormous amounts of his time into coaching the Lions, even though he has no obligations to do so (and he is doing pretty well for himself financially. He and Michael Jordan are the only retired NBA-ers who retain Nike shoe contracts). Hardaway knows the role that positive adult male figures played in his life and former star likely wanted to pay it forward to the next generation of Binghampton kids. Led by their stars Reggie Green and Robert Washington, the Lions seem primed for a run at the state playoffs under the guidance of their two coaches. Hardaway devotes even more of his time into mentoring his players outside of basketball and stressing the importance of academics to their lives, garnering some impressive results.
The fundamental elements of the book are certainly heartwarming and uplifting, but Drash is also treading on rather familiar territory to sports fans. Hardway's players even refer to him as Coach Carter, as the two share quite a bit in common, along with real-life coaches like Bob Hurley (subject of a recent documentary and book). This makes the execution of telling the team's story especially crucial in order to separate it from the rest of the genre, and it comes up short in some aspects. Drash's prose is sometimes littered with cliches and lame similes, and the Lions' contest against a school located near the airport (bearing the unfortunate name of the Jets) brings out the worst in him as far as puns are concerned. While there is some profanity and the discussion of some violent and sexual happenings, there are points where it really read like a book for teenagers. Its not something I am going to ding the book for (teenagers should be allowed to have books written for them too) but it is something I feel that is worth mentioning. Thankfully (to make things interesting for the reader anyway), the Lions partake in many competitive games and do not simply drub all of their opponents and even lose a few games during the regular season. While Drash displays a keen eye for detail in describing Binghampton and his environs and clearly knows his childhood city well, his on-court passages are a bit dry and newspaper recap-y, making it harder to get emotionally invested in the action. There are also a few head-scratching strategic moments (particularly in the last game, though I wont spoil anything) that remind the reader that these matchups are ultimately being contested by thirteen and fourteen year-olds. Drash is much stronger when he describes off-court activities like the Lions' support in the neighborhood (including gang truces and carpooling grandmothers) and profiling Hardaway and several other talented Memphians who fell short of their NBA dreams.
In Sum
Though the basic premise On These Courts will seem familiar to someone who has read their fair share of moving sports stories, I was entertained throughout and largely enjoyed the book despite its flaws. High school readers, coaches, hardcore basketball fans, and the 99% of the population that does not feel obligated to consume every book or documentary (both inspiring and otherwise) tangentially related to sports will probably enjoy the book even more than I did. A portion of the book's proceeds will go to Fast Break Courts, Hardaway's program to assist at-risk Memphis youth.
7/10
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary electronic copy of the book from Touchstone Publicity to review.
August 25, 2023
Anfernee Hardaway
06/14/2013
06/14/2013
February 10, 2017
Penny Hardaway is the GOAT
April 17, 2020
This story about Penney Hardaway, is more than just a basketball book. This is first a story of one friend who is needing help of another friend. You see Penney always gives money for basketball programs and uniforms but this year his friend who has colon cancer needs someone to coach the high school basketball team in one of the roughest inner cities, Memphis TN. Penney says he will do it himself, for this is where he grew up on and in the streets, courts of Memphis. Without a mother or father but a grandmother who made sure that he went to school every day and was inside every night. Who when he got older she went to the courts and dragged him home to the point where even the local gang would tell him to leave if they knew something was about to happen. Because they knew someone was going to make it out of the hood, not by prison or by dying. When he made it to college she made him promise to get his degree she did not care about money or home. She said get your degree it is something that no one take away from you. Because of her and him finishing his degree he was able to coach that year. Then the hard part started trying to get through to a bunch of young kids who had no fathers or mothers or anyone who would stand up for them and make them accountable. He made them not just go to classes but get the grades to play, to act different not to bully other students and if they did not sign a contract with certain set of rules they could not be part of the team. A parent needed to sign also. For the ones that were having problems in school he helped with tutors. His biggest problem was fighting the thing he was around when he was younger. The gangs they had a bigger control on the area and he had to come up with ways to overcome those. This is a book about a man that I only knew a little about, basketball. He does so much more for the game and for Memphis that I wish his story was told more often. For Memphis is a great city and I am not even from there. This is a book that everyone can relate to you don’t have to be a basketball fan. Just a fan of overcoming. I got this book from net galley.
September 5, 2014
This book is a sports biography that is about an NBA legend Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. It talks about his childhood up to his life after the NBA. The story changed dramatically when one of Penny's best friends Desmond Merriweather couldn't coach the middle school team that Penny went to when he was growing up so he felt that he had to step up and become the new coach of the team because of how much he cared about the children and also how much he cared about his friend Desmond. He not only teaches them how to ply basketball, but also teaches them life lessons. He also taught them that the team was a family and they should always stick together.
There are many reasons why I think this book is interesting to me one of those reasons is that this team means so much to Penny and I believe that he loves every single one of his players. I think he was so hard on them because he wanted them to not be on the streets. Another thing that I like about is that it is something that you never want to stop reading. I also the setting played a big part because if this book took place in a suburban area then it would change almost every thing, and I don't think the book would be as good. There is also a reaaly good plot to this story because Penny only wants the best for every one on the team.
I would strongly suggest that anyone who is a sports fan read this book it is an inspiration and by reading it you will learn new things. Something that kept making me read more was that every page was interesting, and there was no part in the book where it was dull. If you read other sports biographies then you will love this one because it is one of the best sports books that I have ever read. This book will also motivate me to read more books by this author.
There are many reasons why I think this book is interesting to me one of those reasons is that this team means so much to Penny and I believe that he loves every single one of his players. I think he was so hard on them because he wanted them to not be on the streets. Another thing that I like about is that it is something that you never want to stop reading. I also the setting played a big part because if this book took place in a suburban area then it would change almost every thing, and I don't think the book would be as good. There is also a reaaly good plot to this story because Penny only wants the best for every one on the team.
I would strongly suggest that anyone who is a sports fan read this book it is an inspiration and by reading it you will learn new things. Something that kept making me read more was that every page was interesting, and there was no part in the book where it was dull. If you read other sports biographies then you will love this one because it is one of the best sports books that I have ever read. This book will also motivate me to read more books by this author.
July 6, 2013
It's a good book. Written by Wayne B. Drash a combination of different elements in this hoops and life story. A very interesting bio of former star player Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, from hometown of Memphis to the NBA and beyond. A kind of loose history of Memphis basketball and players is scattered throughout the book. The main storyline is Penny taking over the coaching reigns of the Lester middle school basketball team for his old friend, Desmond Merriweather, who is battling cancer. Penny does an outstanding job of helping to guide these talented youngsters on the court and in life, as they goal towards a championship season. It's a hard life for most in these Memphis neighborhoods, the author does a great job of showing the many pitfalls that these young people, and older as well, face. Stressing discipline as a way to stay on a good path and make it through. Many thanks should be due to the coaches, teachers, friends, family and others who try to provide resources, guidance and the needed discipline for them. Thanks for the author, as well, for the inspiring book.
August 12, 2018
See *UPDATE below.
Wayne Drash did a great job of giving insight into the backgrounds of some potential NBA players and the hurdles they must overcome. A key to their success is one or more mentors. Penny Hardaway identified with middle schoolers from his home neighborhood of Binghampton in Memphis and their struggles. He showed up. He gave his money. Most important, he gave (and is giving) his time. Lots of it. This is a quick read, and a must read.
*UPDATE: Penny Hardaway (former NBA Star) is now (2018) the new head basketball coach at University of Memphis, his alma mater. Most of the boys he coached at Lester and East High School just graduated. Some have committed to U of M. Interesting times ahead.
Wayne Drash did a great job of giving insight into the backgrounds of some potential NBA players and the hurdles they must overcome. A key to their success is one or more mentors. Penny Hardaway identified with middle schoolers from his home neighborhood of Binghampton in Memphis and their struggles. He showed up. He gave his money. Most important, he gave (and is giving) his time. Lots of it. This is a quick read, and a must read.
*UPDATE: Penny Hardaway (former NBA Star) is now (2018) the new head basketball coach at University of Memphis, his alma mater. Most of the boys he coached at Lester and East High School just graduated. Some have committed to U of M. Interesting times ahead.
July 13, 2013
Anfernee Penny Hardaway was the next big thing in basketball in the nineties. Shaquille O´Neal and him paired in Orlando was going to be the great dynasty of that decade. But it was one of the things that never came to full fruition. They lost the NBA Finals to the Rockets and the dynasty to be self imploded, with Shaquille going to the Lakers and Penny Hardaway´s career derailed by injuries. The star that was supposed to win multiple championships, ended up being a champion as a coach of teens in Memphis. And that is the story told by this book by Wayne Drash.
Full Review
Full Review
September 28, 2014
Great book -- as most reviews say this is not just about basketball. It's more about friendship, leadership and citizenship. Penny Hardaway had a tough life growing up in Memphis but found his way to the basketball court and a successful career in the NBA. But he didn't forget his roots and the streets of Memphis that lure kids to the dark side. He returns to coach a middle school team at the request of his friend who is fighting cancer.
Makes me appreciate all that we have and how important it is to figure out how to give back by helping others.
Makes me appreciate all that we have and how important it is to figure out how to give back by helping others.
September 25, 2015
The true story of Lester Middle School's road to the first of three basketball state championships, coached by Memphis native and NBA great Penny Hardaway. These events took place just a few miles from where I now live, but I never heard much about it at the time. I believe every Memphian should read this book. When I finished, I wanted to start volunteering with one of Penny's charity organizations immediately. Still looking into it.
September 3, 2014
In my opinion I thought that "On These Courts", by Wayne B.Drash was a good book. I would recommend this book to all my friends or anyone. The details about the community kept me wanting to read more about the book.
November 3, 2015
Good account of how one man's (Penny Hardaway) return to his childhood helped change the outlook of an entire community. More than just a story about basketball, a story about growing up and becoming men.
May 11, 2013
Inspiring story and I learned a lot, but it could have been better done. Not as well-done, for instance, as Kareem Abdul-Jabar's "A Season On The Rez."
March 21, 2014
Enjoyable read! I would suggest this book if you need a little pick me up.
May 26, 2015
This book is an excellent study of how a successful person can give back to the community. Anfernee is making a difference in so many lives. Inspirational!!
December 26, 2016
Anfernee penny Hardaway is an absolute legend, and Wayne Drash tells a fantastic story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews