The Boys of Dunbar: A Story of Love, Hope and Basketball

As the crack epidemic took hold of many cities across the US, the city of Baltimore, Maryland was no different. Poverty and crime had taken its toll on the city, leaving many of the kids with a poor outlook on life. However, basketball was seen as a bright spot and a ticket out of Baltimore and into a better future. The story of The Boys of Dunbar: A Story of Love, Hope and Basketball tells the story of Dunbar High School and their powerhouse basketball program. The team, the Dunbar Poets, would produce four future NBA stars in Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams and David Wingate. This book gives us a new look into Dunbar High’s inspirational story. Author Alejandro Danois recounts the Dunbar Poets 1981-1982 and 1982-1983 seasons where the team had a perfect record going undefeated in 59 games. 

The Boys of Dunbar tells us a lot about sport triumphs. Starting off in a city hit hard by the crack epidemic with many of its residents living in housing projects, the future looked quite dark. However, the Dunbar Poets basketball program was seen as an inspiration in tough times. Instead of turning to drugs and crime the students at Dunbar were able to focus their time and energy on sports. With the help of their coach, the players were motivated to work hard and push themselves, despite their environment not being the best.  

Consider yourself a major basketball fan? Well then the story of The Boys of Dunbar: A Story of Love, Hope and Basketball is one you should know! Recounting the team's most successful seasons in 1981-1982 and 1982-1983 we learn more about what it takes to reach the highest levels of basketball, the NBA. Furthermore, this book also shows us how a high school in the crime-ridden city of Baltimore produced four professional basketball players. A great book for basketball fans!