Dragon Hoops is one of my favorite graphic novels in recent years. I enjoyed the basketball action scenes, which showcases the visual aspect of graphic novel storytelling. Without words, we can follow passes, shots, the ticking clock, and the unspoken feelings between teammates. This makes the book breeze by while still feeling substantial due to its exploration of many important histories that are connected to the story.

The book goes beyond a typical action sports book by its use of exploring the historical context of different aspects of the O’Dowd basketball season. We get some California high school basketball history with Lou Richie’s story, and we get the story of James Naismith and the invention of basketball. We briefly look into Oakland’s storied basketball history. But Yang takes it beyond just basketball. He includes the Michael Brown murder and Black Lives Matter protests, especially relevant today. He explores the racial history of the Harlem Globetrotters and the birth of the NBA, as well as the progress of women’s basketball over time. He touches on Catholicism and its connection to basketball, as well as Sikhism and racism and prejudice in America. Yang also explores the rise of basketball in China, as well as abuse allegations towards a former coach. These stories and messages take the book beyond just a typical “Will they win it or not” sports book. The book offers positive messages of inclusion and diversity and provides historical context for different societal issues and injustices in the world today.

For the basketball fan, we also get some cameos from NBA players like Michael Jordan, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Brian Shaw, Yao Ming, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley. We even get panels on George Mikan’s training regimen if you are the historical basketball fan.

Overall, for my main takeaway from Yang’s book, I look back at one of the first panels of the book on page 4 featuring a flying Superman with fist outstretched. Instead of the typical superhero comic, Yang has given the superhero treatment to high school basketball players and coaches who have dedicated their lives to the discipline, hard work, and concentration that a state basketball championship pursuit entails. He has many full page panels highlighting the prowess of these high school players. The book argues that heroes are not just in the pages of a fantasy comic book but also in the world around us: the classrooms, the gyms, the family households, and so on. Our lives are filled with heroes that we might not recognize who are stepping out in the pursuit of legendary feats despite the myriad challenges and prejudices in the world.

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.7 (753 ratings)
Price	$16.49
Category	Sports & Outdoors