redemption
Reviewed by G. Louis Heath, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Ashford University, Clinton, Iowa
29 january 2018 archive
This coffee table book is about the University of North Carolina's 2017 redemption from a buzzer-beater loss to Villanova in the 2016 national championship game in Houston. It examines the team chemistry that developed, especially among Luke Maye, Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, Nate Britt, Kanler Coker, Theo Pinson, Stilman Waite, Isaiah Hicks, and Joel Berry, that contributed mightily to the success of the 16-player roster. For the most part, total strangers at the outset from far-flung places such as Oxford, North Carolina; Apopka, Florida; and, Tomball, Texas, the team became a cohesive band of brothers. They hung together, fought hard, and won tight, come-back games. And socially they were close. For example, after late-night workouts, they often sparkled together as they enjoyed late-night pan pizza at a Chapel Hill restaurant.
Their 2016-2017 season began with very high, albeit realistic, hopes. Coach Roy Williams told his team: "In this room is a team good enough to win the national championship." The note of their redemption had been sounded and the season of destiny began.
There are many interesting anecdotes in the book. For examples: 1.) Villanova's winning shot in the Carolina 2016 championship loss was made by forward Kris Jenkins. His legal guardians as of 2007 were Tar Heel junior forward Nate Britt's parents. Jenkins and Britt had played together on several teams as youngsters; 2.) A "33" is three trips baseline to baseline and back in 33 seconds or less. Everyone on the team was required to run four in quick succession. If unable, they had to work out until they could do so; 3) On Memphis road trips, Coach Williams took his team to the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, a particularly powerful experience in 2016 when some on the team expressed anger about police brutality; 4) The entire team was provided new "kicks," Jordan brand sneakers, for the high-flying and dunking season of redemption. MJ, a Tar Heel alum, paid a visit to the squad. These anecdotes and others add zest to the book's narrative and the numerous captioned photos that comprise the bulk of the book.
Redemption includes a short account of coach Roy Williams' life and career. A North Carolina graduate, he began coaching while a PE teacher at Owen High School, Black Mountain, N.C. His mother, Lallage Williams, and his wife, née Wanda Jones, exerted outsized, transformative influences on him. His mother was a pillar of strong values she instilled into her son. Wanda was a tower of strength for him. For example, she supported his decision to give up a family income of $30,000 (his teaching salary plus hers at a position at a nearby school) so that Roy could take a $2,700 a year assistant coaching job at Carolina. It was a great sacrifice made to open new opportunities. So draconian, that with a new baby boy, they even inquired about paper routes. But the penury paid off. Chapel Hill led to big-time success at Kansas, thence back to an iconic career at Chapel Hill, where he became the first coach to win three NCAA men's basketball championships at his alma mater.
The book reports in copious detail important games in the 2016-2017 season. The detail gets rather tedious but won't fatigue diehard Tar Heel fans. However, anyone can thrill to the many outstanding, action photos, the best features of the book in my view. If you like Sports Illustrated's photo coverage, you will adore Redemption.
The chapter on the Tar Heels' come-from-behind victory over Arkansas in the round-of-32 NCAA Tournament, titled "The Comeback," recounts the progress of the 72-65 victory in riveting fashion, especially the 12-0 run to end the contest. Noteworthy was Isaiah Hicks' dunk that turned the tide.
An entire chapter, "Maye Day," is devoted to sophomore Luke Maye's development from a struggling player, in the shadow of stars Justin Jackson and Joel Berry, into a confident, key player. He scored a career high 17 against Kentucky, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the 75-73 win that put Carolina into the Final Four. Later chapters detail a 7-point victory over Oregon that sent the Tar Heels to the championship game they won 71-65 over Gonzaga.
The final chapter, "Redeemed," offers sparse narrative but great SI-style page-filling photos. Amid the photos, you will read how the Tar Heels redeemed themselves from their narrow, heart-breaking loss to Villanova in the championship game the year before. Religion and sport get implicitly blended here and throughout. There is a sense of Calvinistic pre-destination that this team of destiny cannot be denied because it has been ordained for greatness. Unconscious or subliminal theology mixes with big sporting events and iconic teams in America. The Tar Heels of 2016-2017 are a prime example. They played out a rare redemption, well worth this beautiful coffee table book featuring concise journalistic text and professional color photos.
All libraries will serve their patrons well by accessioning this entertaining, informative, inspiring book. And for Tar Heel fans everywhere, Redemption is a must read.
Adam Lucas, Steve Kirschner, and Matt Bowers, Redemption: Carolina Basketball's 2016-2017 Journey from Heartbreak to History (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2017), 224 pages, 195 color plates, appendices, $35.00 cloth.
Copyright © 2018 by G. Louis Heath