Hoops Across the Ocean: The rise and fall of the Irish basketball team

From NBA players to college stars, Ireland has benefitted from Irish American players playing for the National team for over forty years.Hoops Across the Ocean looks at the impact of players like Jay Larranaga, Pat Burke and Marty Conlon as they strived to help elevate Irish basketball. From former NBA players to current NBA coaches to NYPD officers, this book looks at the stories of a group of Irish American families and their desire to contribute to basketballs development in Ireland.Thanks to their contributions, Ireland rose from minnows of European basketball to competing with powerhouse teams like Croatia and Germany. Although done with the best intentions, the use of Irish Americans wasn't always met positively in Ireland as domestic players became increasingly marginalised. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the grey area that sports decisions can often be made as people all strive to help a country they care about progress.