Open Looks: My Life In Basketball

Description

In this candid and beautifully written memoir, John Saker tells of his lifetime love affair with one of the world's most popular sports, how it changed his life, and the head-spinning moments when this 'minor' sport became the talk of New Zealand. From his early teens, when throwing hoops was a way of dealing with family tragedy, through his scholarship to a US university, career in France as New Zealand's first professional basketball player, and selection to the Tall Blacks, Saker canvasses both highs and lows of a sport where players such as Steven Adams today command multimillion dollar salaries.

John Saker was NZ's first professional basketball player. In the 1970s he spent two years on a scholarship in the US, and then played in France for three exciting seasons. He represented New Zealand as a Tall Black from 1975 to 1987 and captained the '84 team. Wine writer for Cuisine and The Sunday Star-Times, John Saker is the author of How to Drink a Glass of Wine (Awa Press), Vinacular - A Wine Lover's A-Z (Awa Press) and Pinot Noir: The New Zealand Story (Random House).

"Saker obviously recognises the value of quality over quantity. This is fine writing, enjoyable as both an introduction to the game (a-la Awa's How to Watch essay series), and for those already entranced by its striking lexicon and eye-opening athleticism." --Gary Forster, booksellersnz.wordpress.com "If you're a basketball fan this is a must-read--a good account of how the sport of basketball has evolved in New Zealand over the last 40 years" --Kenny McFadden, former professional basketball player "John Saker is a New Zealand basketball pioneer . . . He is also, almost certainly, our loveliest writer on the sport." --Hayden Meikle, Otago Daily Times "Saker writes of his metamorphosis from backyard wannabe to chasing the dream on college courts to the cauldron of the professional game in Europe . . . [Saker's] passion for basketball clearly remains and this short but sweet read . . . is testament to that." --Gisborne Herald