{"product_id":"ball-boy-paul-shirley-basketball-fiction-growing-up-finding-identity-through-sport","title":"Ball Boy | Paul Shirley | Basketball Fiction, Growing Up \u0026 Finding Identity Through Sport","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"283\"\u003eA thoughtful and original basketball novel about growing up, identity, friendship, and finding purpose through the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"285\" data-end=\"465\"\u003eWritten by former professional basketball player \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePaul Shirley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"383\"\u003eBall Boy\u003c\/em\u003e explores the emotional side of basketball culture far beyond wins and statistics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"467\" data-end=\"605\"\u003eMore than a sports story, this novel captures what basketball can mean to young people searching for confidence, belonging, and direction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"730\"\u003eA great read for basketball players, coaches, and anyone who understands how deeply sport can shape identity and community.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery time: 16-20 days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"735\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"12z8ik3\" data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"755\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eBasketball is not always about championships, fame, or professional careers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"897\"\u003eSometimes it is simply about finding a place where you belong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"899\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003eIn \u003cem data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"912\"\u003eBall Boy\u003c\/em\u003e, former professional basketball player and author \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePaul Shirley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e tells a story about growing up, relationships, community, and discovering the thing that makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1151\" data-end=\"1206\"\u003eSet around the world of basketball, the novel explores:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1207\" data-end=\"1416\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1d45l6h\" data-start=\"1207\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003eyouth and personal growth,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"22qk2a\" data-start=\"1236\" data-end=\"1263\"\u003efriendship and belonging,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"k5by1v\" data-start=\"1264\" data-end=\"1289\"\u003eidentity through sport,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1u2fmht\" data-start=\"1290\" data-end=\"1314\"\u003eemotional development,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1l2nk7\" data-start=\"1315\" data-end=\"1346\"\u003esmall basketball communities,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"f4val9\" data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1416\"\u003eand the role basketball can play in shaping confidence and purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1418\" data-end=\"1595\"\u003eRather than focusing only on competition and success, \u003cem data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1482\"\u003eBall Boy\u003c\/em\u003e captures the emotional atmosphere surrounding basketball culture and the impact sport can have on everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1778\"\u003eThe writing feels personal, honest, reflective, and relatable — especially for readers who understand basketball not just as a game, but as part of growing up and building identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1918\"\u003eWhether you are a player, coach, parent, or lifelong basketball fan, \u003cem data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1859\"\u003eBall Boy\u003c\/em\u003e offers a different and more human perspective on the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"1923\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"13u08yd\" data-start=\"1925\" data-end=\"1941\"\u003eWhy This Book\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"2018\"\u003eMany basketball books focus on stars, championships, and elite competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2020\" data-end=\"2122\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"2020\" data-end=\"2030\"\u003eBall Boy\u003c\/em\u003e focuses on something different:\u003cbr\u003ethe emotional connection people build with the game itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2170\"\u003eIt is a story about how basketball can create:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2240\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1w0dgh5\" data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2183\"\u003ebelonging,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"g2paww\" data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003econfidence,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"orsj3b\" data-start=\"2198\" data-end=\"2212\"\u003efriendships,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14utxa2\" data-start=\"2213\" data-end=\"2223\"\u003epurpose,\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"zfh7em\" data-start=\"2224\" data-end=\"2240\"\u003eand community.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2316\"\u003eThat makes it a unique and valuable addition to modern basketball culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2318\" data-end=\"2321\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"h6h7an\" data-start=\"2323\" data-end=\"2340\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2342\" data-end=\"2449\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1klbrrz\" data-start=\"2342\" data-end=\"2366\"\u003eAuthor: Paul Shirley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1lp14du\" data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2388\"\u003eLanguage: English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"qzcr58\" data-start=\"2389\" data-end=\"2410\"\u003eFormat: Paperback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"13xh0jr\" data-start=\"2411\" data-end=\"2425\"\u003ePages: 306\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1tyk9n4\" data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2449\"\u003eISBN: 9780578800356\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Book","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53993823863117,"sku":null,"price":18.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/9027\/8733\/files\/Ball_boy_Paul.png?v=1779945905","url":"https:\/\/shop.orangeballunitedathletes.com\/products\/ball-boy-paul-shirley-basketball-fiction-growing-up-finding-identity-through-sport","provider":"Orange Ball United Athletes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}