Beyond the Arc: A Novel

From the bestselling author of Shoot Your Shot comes the inspirational story of a young man's quest to reach the highest level of basketball, despite the odds stacked against him. Beyond the Arc is captivating tale about the power of preparation and persistence, and the importance of embracing one's journey. Like every young hoop dreamer, twenty-one-year-old DJ Joyner has always aspired to play in the National Basketball Association. But despite having had a standout collegiate career, the six-foot-one point guard goes unselected in the NBA Draft. Unwilling to give up on his lifelong dream of making it to "the League," a week after the draft, DJ heads to Las Vegas to compete in the NBA's Summer League showcase for the chance to earn his way onto a team's roster. While in Vegas, DJ is approached by a mysterious man named Marion Lake-a low-profile, referral-only player development coach. Nicknamed "The Invisible Hand" for his ability to impact the trajectory of a player's career, Marion explains that he has been hired by an anonymous benefactor to train DJ, and that he's legally obligated to do so until the point guard signs an NBA contract. Though skeptical at first, DJ eventually accepts Marion's offer. Now, under the tutelage of basketball's best-kept secret, DJ attempts to not only make the improbable leap to the NBA as an undrafted rookie, but seeks to leave his mark on the court if and when his name finally gets called. However, what starts out as a quest to realize a childhood dream soon evolves into a journey of self-discovery that transcends the game of basketball.