Dragon Hoops

Dragon Hoops is a compelling nonfiction graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, suitable for ages 12-18. It tells the story of the Bishop O'Dowd High School men's varsity basketball team, the Dragons, as they strive for a California State Championship. Yang, initially uninterested in sports, finds himself drawn into their narrative, exploring the history of basketball, the coach's past, and his own evolving perspective. This book masterfully blends memoir, sports journalism, and historical context, making it an engaging read for teens, especially those who enjoy graphic novels, sports, or stories about personal growth and teamwork.

In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches. Gene understands stories—comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins. But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well.