Dragon Hoops #[nn]

In "Prologue: Mr. Yang," the artist reflects on his role as a teacher and storyteller, realizing he’s overlooked the basketball team at his school. He reaches out to Coach Richie, beginning a quiet journey into the world of the players he’s long passed in the halls.

In "Chapter 4: Coach Phelps," Yang reflects on the deep roots of basketball in Black communities and how the sport shaped identities and opportunities. He recounts how his high school coach, Mike Phelps, pushed him hard—both on the court and in life—while grappling with the complexities of honoring a mentor whose legacy is far from simple.

In "Chapter 5: Bishop Gorman Gaels vs. Bishop O'Dowd Dragons," Kolbe Yang catches up on the Dragons' intense matchup against the Bishop Gorman Gaels after missing the game live. His growing passion for the sport, sparked by the team’s grit and rhythm, quietly surprises his wife as he watches the recording with renewed focus.

In "Chapter 6: Oderah and Arinze," Rianne Meyers and Kolbe Yang explore the legacy of women's basketball through a personal lens, as Yang connects with Oderah, the older sister of Dragons player Arinze, and hears firsthand about her journey and achievements on the court. The chapter weaves past and present, honoring a quiet but powerful chapter in the sport’s history.

In "Chapter 7: Bishop O'Dowd Dragons vs. Montverde Eagles," Kolbe Yang captures the intensity of a high-stakes basketball game in Orlando, where the Dragons face off against a formidable Montverde Eagles team. As Ivan struggles with repeated fouls and is eventually pulled from the game, the weight of the loss settles in—yet the journey continues, leading Yang to a surprising call from DC Comics about writing Superman.

In "Chapter 9: Bishop O'Dowd Dragons vs. Waynesville Tigers," Mike Phelps attends a Dragons game, but Yang remains skeptical about including him in the book. As the game unfolds, Yang grapples with a new assignment from DC Comics—reimagining Superman’s role—and wrestles with whether to accept it, caught between creative ambition and the story he’s already committed to.

In "Chapter 12: Austin," Yang explores the quiet intensity of a standout player whose future lies far beyond the court. As the Dragons' season unfolds, a candid conversation with Austin reveals a young athlete with no plans to pursue basketball beyond high school, setting the stage for a moment of personal reckoning that reshapes Yang’s own path.

In "Epilogue: Gene," Yang reflects on the end of his teaching career as he prepares to focus on writing Superman, sharing a quiet moment with his children by taking them outside to play basketball. The story captures a tender, personal chapter in his life, grounded in everyday moments and the quiet weight of change.