Real Hoops

Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Can street ball and technical play mix it up on the court and score wins for the team?

Ben and Logan are looking for a new point guard for their team, and they are sure they've found one in Antonio "Hud" Hudson, the new guy at their school. But there's one Hud plays fast-paced pickup ball, and coach says that's against the team rules!

So when Ben finds Hud playing pickup, he has to make a decision. As captain, can he help Hud balance his passion for the game with his dedication to the team?

Author Fred Bowen delivers another action-packed tale of skill, friendship, and teamwork as three boys work together to make the best of two worlds. In the afterword, readers can learn the real story of pickup ball and Holcombe Rucker Park, Harlem's famous basketball court where many NBA greats—including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dr. J, and Jamal Mashburn—got their start.

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Fred Bowen is the author of Peachtree’s popular Fred Bowen Sports Story and All-Star Sport Story series. A lifelong sports fanatic, he has coached youth league baseball, basketball, and soccer. His kids’ sports column “The Score” appears each week in the KidsPost section of the Washington Post. Bowen lives in Maryland.

Reviews

[Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m trying to get more into fiction in 2025, and this is my first fiction book of the year. It’s probably more appropriate for someone in middle or high school, but it was an easy read on a topic I’m interested in. I’m excited to give my brain some relief this year via reading more fiction books.

[Royce Hepler · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok. It was kind of cheesy, but not a challenging read.

[Kaylob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like sports? Do you like to have something in common with the main character? If so, you should definitely read Real Hoop’s by Fred Bowen. Real Hoop’s is an exciting book with a great message, it also makes it easy to relate to the main character, Ben Williams, and lastly Real Hoop’s has some great suspense.
Real Hoop’s has a great message, there is always room for improvement,”well, there’s a big difference between being in good condition and being in basketball condition” (42). This shows the message there is always room for improvement because the players thought they were in great condition, so great that they didn’t need to practice on passing and running, but, Coach George teaches the players that you have to be better than good to be as effective as a NBA team.
The book also makes it easy to make a connection with the main character, Ben Williams,”Ben pulled out his phone and punched in the school’s website. The two boys studied the list of names for the twentieth time” (31). This quote shows that Ben’s school is just a regular, ordinary school with a normal school website.
The last thing that makes Real Hoop’s such a great book to read is it’s fulfilling suspense,”’Who’s going to tell him?’ ‘I don’t know,’ Ben said.’But I’m supposed to. I’m the captain’” (73). This shows the suspense because you don’t know if Ben will betray his friend, Hud, or if he will remain loyal to the coach.

[Allen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a book called real hoops. It's about this high school basketball team. That need a point guard.so one day they see this really good point guard and asked him if he can go to there high school. So he can play basketball with them

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a basketball fan, but this book was a good sports read.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is good for a sports story, but I have read other books that are good stories and just happen to be about sports.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast-reading book. Ideal for reluctant readers.

[King Nas]

was very good

[Josiah Garcia]

“Real Hoops” is an amazing book. It’s a realistic fiction book wich is my favorite genre. It’s about my favorite sport, basketball. It’s not one of the best books I’ve ever read but it is good to read. The main character Ben is my favorite character. His character caught my attention because he is the captain of his team and he had to make decisions for his team which I look up to. He had to bring in a good point guard which is what he did. The point guard he brought in, Antonio “HUD” Hudson isn’t really a team player. As a point guard you have to be able to pass the ball and let your teammates score. He was use to the way he played in rec. It’s up to Ben to make him a player that fits the team. Can he do it? You should really read this book especially if your on any sports team it show what to do and what not to do if your on a team and need leadership.