Full Court Press

A scout for the New York Knights named Eddie goes to Europe to check out the once popular Earthwind Morton to give the flailing team some life and added ticket sales. Instead, Eddie is impressed with Dee Gerard, and he brings her back to be the first woman player in the NBA. At first, self-help guru-turned-owner, Michael De La Cruz, looks at this as a money-making publicity stunt, as he becomes the mastermind behind this whirlwind media frenzy. However, he along with the rest of the league, soon finds out that the girl can play.

Lupica does a wonderful job of intermingling several diverse and silly characters into a nice, cohesive plot. There is a lot of humor and some amazingly interesting situations that help to make for a page-turning delight.

This is yet another excellent book by a talented author. The storyline has its fair share of ups and downs, but is really easy to follow as you'll laugh the whole way through. FULL COURT PRESS is a can't miss.


Great storytelling   November 12, 2001
 7 out of 16 found this review helpful

In New York winning is everything. Professional sports die without championships or at least a temporary draw until the victories return. The New York Knights have neither so the attendance is down. Owner Michael De la Cruz informs scout Eddie Holtz that he better come up with a superstar or find work overseas. In Europe, Eddie checks out former NBA great Earthwind, but feels raptures watching the point guard, a D. Gerard pull a series of magic acts. After the game ends, Eddie meets Gerard whose first initial stands for Dee, a female.

Eddie calls his boss, who sees an opportunity to fill a few seats with a wiggle and jiggle. However, the other owners and many of the players make it clear that the NBA stands for no babes allowed. Talented enough to compete, will Dee obtain the opportunity to break the gender line?

FULL COURT PRESS is a fast breaking sports novel that genre fans will either love or hate depending on the reaction to the basic premise that a woman is capable of playing in the NBA. The story line is fun as Dee seems genuine (wonder if she is modeled after a WNBA guard like Stacey or Stiles?) and the reactions to her seem humorous and ludicrous at the same time. Mike Lupica provides a slam dunk tale that will entertain readers even as many wonder how they would look one on one with Leslie or Dydek (beside feeling short).

Harriet Klausner