The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

The Game Owes Me follows Lenny Chase, a former high school basketball star who returns to his alma mater, Martin Luther King High School (MLK) in Memphis, TN, to coach a struggling boys' basketball team. Once a rising talent with NBA dreams, Lenny's career never took off, and he's been drifting ever since, battling his inner demons and alcoholism. Now in his mid-30s, he's back in Memphis to rebuild not just the team, but his life.

At the heart of the team is Stephon Johnson, a gifted junior who has the potential to be the best player in the Country. When Stephon's father dies in a car wreck during a road trip to take him to prep school, Stephon vows never to play the game again and transfers to MLK. Stephon's talent, however, is overshadowed by the threat of a career-ending gun charge and the threat of violence by local gang members.

The season begins with MLK, as underdogs, written off by the city's basketball community. MLK's principal (Katrina Davenport) selects Lenny as MLK's new head coach, despite their romantic history as estranged high school sweethearts. Lenny's coaching style, inspired by his former MLK coach, galvanized the players, and they rallied under his leadership. As they grow as a team, they also face increasing personal challenges. Stephon is trying to escape street life, Tavon's reckless playing style threatens his scholarship hopes, and Lenny finds it harder to keep his own addiction at bay. Alongside their on-court battles, the team contends with issues of poverty, broken families, and the systemic disadvantages that define their community.

The tension escalates as the team makes an unexpected run to the state playoffs, where they face their toughest competition yet. In a heart-wrenching state quarterfinal game.

The Game Owes Me is a story of second chances and the power of mentorship, set against the backdrop of high school basketball in Memphis, TN. This honest and realistic story explores themes of self-worth, community, and personal growth, offering an honest portrayal of life's challenges for young athletes navigating their futures.

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The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

The Game Owes Me follows Lenny Chase, a former high school basketball star who returns to his alma mater, Martin Luther King High School (MLK) in Memphis, TN, to coach a struggling boys' basketball team. Once a rising talent with NBA dreams, Lenny's career never took off, and he's been drifting ever since, battling his inner demons and alcoholism. Now in his mid-30s, he's back in Memphis to rebuild not just the team, but his life.

At the heart of the team is Stephon Johnson, a gifted junior who has the potential to be the best player in the Country. When Stephon's father dies in a car wreck during a road trip to take him to prep school, Stephon vows never to play the game again and transfers to MLK. Stephon's talent, however, is overshadowed by the threat of a career-ending gun charge and the threat of violence by local gang members.

The season begins with MLK, as underdogs, written off by the city's basketball community. MLK's principal (Katrina Davenport) selects Lenny as MLK's new head coach, despite their romantic history as estranged high school sweethearts. Lenny's coaching style, inspired by his former MLK coach, galvanized the players, and they rallied under his leadership. As they grow as a team, they also face increasing personal challenges. Stephon is trying to escape street life, Tavon's reckless playing style threatens his scholarship hopes, and Lenny finds it harder to keep his own addiction at bay. Alongside their on-court battles, the team contends with issues of poverty, broken families, and the systemic disadvantages that define their community.

The tension escalates as the team makes an unexpected run to the state playoffs, where they face their toughest competition yet. In a heart-wrenching state quarterfinal game.

The Game Owes Me is a story of second chances and the power of mentorship, set against the backdrop of high school basketball in Memphis, TN. This honest and realistic story explores themes of self-worth, community, and personal growth, offering an honest portrayal of life's challenges for young athletes navigating their futures.

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The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

The Game Owes Me: Basketball, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Greatness

Overview

The Game Owes Me follows Lenny Chase, a former high school basketball star who returns to his alma mater, Martin Luther King High School (MLK) in Memphis, TN, to coach a struggling boys' basketball team. Once a rising talent with NBA dreams, Lenny's career never took off, and he's been drifting ever since, battling his inner demons and alcoholism. Now in his mid-30s, he's back in Memphis to rebuild not just the team, but his life.

At the heart of the team is Stephon Johnson, a gifted junior who has the potential to be the best player in the Country. When Stephon's father dies in a car wreck during a road trip to take him to prep school, Stephon vows never to play the game again and transfers to MLK. Stephon's talent, however, is overshadowed by the threat of a career-ending gun charge and the threat of violence by local gang members.

The season begins with MLK, as underdogs, written off by the city's basketball community. MLK's principal (Katrina Davenport) selects Lenny as MLK's new head coach, despite their romantic history as estranged high school sweethearts. Lenny's coaching style, inspired by his former MLK coach, galvanized the players, and they rallied under his leadership. As they grow as a team, they also face increasing personal challenges. Stephon is trying to escape street life, Tavon's reckless playing style threatens his scholarship hopes, and Lenny finds it harder to keep his own addiction at bay. Alongside their on-court battles, the team contends with issues of poverty, broken families, and the systemic disadvantages that define their community.

The tension escalates as the team makes an unexpected run to the state playoffs, where they face their toughest competition yet. In a heart-wrenching state quarterfinal game.

The Game Owes Me is a story of second chances and the power of mentorship, set against the backdrop of high school basketball in Memphis, TN. This honest and realistic story explores themes of self-worth, community, and personal growth, offering an honest portrayal of life's challenges for young athletes navigating their futures.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798999937513
Publisher: Martinis and Manny Publishing
Publication date: 10/21/2025
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 252
File size: 441 KB
Age Range: 13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Martinis M. Jackson is a passionate storyteller, former athlete, and dedicated advocate for the transformative power of basketball and education. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Martinis fell in love with the game at an early age, watching Memphis Tigers games with his father and uncles and immersing himself in the city's vibrant basketball culture. Martinis played high school and college basketball, gaining firsthand experience of the triumphs and challenges young athletes face on and off the court. After his playing days, for leisure, he turned to writing, serving as a sports journalist for high school basketball. His insightful, authentic commentary has been featured in prominent publications like SLAM Magazine Online. With The Game Owes Me, Martinis returns to his roots, weaving together a heartfelt exploration of basketball, brotherhood, and the pursuit of greatness.
Manny is a storyteller at heart, driven by a deep belief in the power of words to move people, spark change, and entertain. A devoted reader since childhood, he long dreamed of writing a novel-an ambition realized with the release of The Game Owes Me.His career path has been anything but conventional. MG began in television production, sharpening his eye for compelling narratives before earning a law degree and stepping into the world of public policy. Now a registered lobbyist, he brings his unique blend of creativity and advocacy to everything he does. When he's not writing or working, Manny can be found watching films, following sports, curating playlists, or spending time with his wife and two daughters in Washington, D.C. Follow @SirMannyG to stay connected and discover what's next.
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