Power Forward

 Dean Tolson grew up in Kansas City, MO.  All he ever wanted to do was play basketball.  Mostly he was “passed on” in school.  When got out of high school, he could barely read and write—really illiterate.  He spent 5 of his early years in an orphans home because his mother could not care for five children.  He was beat up by gangers because he would not join their groups.  He had two prospects for college, Xavier and University of Arkansas.  His mom begged him to choose the later because it was closer to KC.  The basketball coach at U of A took him and a little guy with glasses to an ACT testing site.  The little smart guy went in and took his test.  That’s how he got enrolled in College.  He played 4 years.  He did not graduate.  He said he learned nothing, but he got to play basketball.  After college he played for Bill Russell and the Sonics.  He played with pro teams in Greece, Alaska, the Philippines.  Finally his knees and back gave out.  He wished he’d gotten educated.  He decided he would.  He needed someone to help him.  He found that mentor in Frank Broyles!  I recommend this book.