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Beyond the Arc: A Novel
From the bestselling author of Shoot Your Shot comes the inspirational story of a young man's quest to reach the highest level of basketball, despite the odds stacked against him. Beyond the Arc is a captivating tale about the power of preparation and persistence, and the importance of embracing one's journey.
Like every young hoop dreamer, twenty-one-year-old DJ Joyner has always aspired to play in the National Basketball Association. But despite having had a standout collegiate career, the six-foot-one point guard goes unselected in the NBA Draft. Unwilling to give up on his lifelong dream of making it to “the League,” a week after the draft, DJ heads to Las Vegas to compete in the NBA’s Summer League showcase for the chance to earn his way onto a team’s roster.
While in Vegas, DJ is approached by a mysterious man named Marion Lake—a low-profile, referral-only player development coach. Nicknamed “The Invisible Hand” for his ability to impact the trajectory of a player’s career, Marion explains that he has been hired by an anonymous benefactor to train DJ, and that he’s legally obligated to do so until the point guard signs an NBA contract. Though skeptical at first, DJ eventually accepts Marion’s offer.
Now, under the tutelage of basketball’s best-kept secret, DJ attempts to not only make the improbable leap to the NBA as an undrafted rookie, but seeks to leave his mark on the court if and when his name finally gets called. However, what starts out as a quest to realize a childhood dream soon evolves into a journey of self-discovery that transcends the game of basketball.
Like every young hoop dreamer, twenty-one-year-old DJ Joyner has always aspired to play in the National Basketball Association. But despite having had a standout collegiate career, the six-foot-one point guard goes unselected in the NBA Draft. Unwilling to give up on his lifelong dream of making it to “the League,” a week after the draft, DJ heads to Las Vegas to compete in the NBA’s Summer League showcase for the chance to earn his way onto a team’s roster.
While in Vegas, DJ is approached by a mysterious man named Marion Lake—a low-profile, referral-only player development coach. Nicknamed “The Invisible Hand” for his ability to impact the trajectory of a player’s career, Marion explains that he has been hired by an anonymous benefactor to train DJ, and that he’s legally obligated to do so until the point guard signs an NBA contract. Though skeptical at first, DJ eventually accepts Marion’s offer.
Now, under the tutelage of basketball’s best-kept secret, DJ attempts to not only make the improbable leap to the NBA as an undrafted rookie, but seeks to leave his mark on the court if and when his name finally gets called. However, what starts out as a quest to realize a childhood dream soon evolves into a journey of self-discovery that transcends the game of basketball.
266 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2023
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Vernon Brundage Jr.
2 books18 followersVernon Brundage Jr. is the bestselling author of Shoot Your Shot: A Sport-Inspired Guide to Living Your Best Life. He is also a highly sought-after youth speaker, and the Founder of investED Enrichment Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which equips youth and young adults living in low-income communities with life skills. Brundage hails from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region, and currently resides in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with his family. For more information about him, visit www.vernonbrundage.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 27, 2024
Beyond the Arc Colin Powell once said “A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Beyond the Arc, by Vernon Brundage Jr, is an inspirational book that was focused on a basketball player beating the odds that are stacked against him. This story centers around an undrafted twenty-one year old basketball player named Dj who has a dream of making it to the NBA. Dj does an amazing job inspiring young athletes to keep pursuing their dreams even if the odds are slim. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a dream of going to college or to the pros for sports. This book expresses how hard work and dedication will pay off, it just takes time. Now, I am trying to replicate it and so can you. However, if you do not find sports interesting, I would not recommend this book for you as it would not relate to your situation as much.
In the book, Dj is willing to put in hard work and dedication to reach his dream of making the NBA. His goal became possible in Las Vegas, as he got a chance to show the world his skills in the NBA summer league. Dj doesn’t have all of the skill in the world, but he is the hardest working player on the court. He has trained his whole life for this opportunity and he prevailed. He worked up from not getting much minutes to winning the NBA summer league MVP. However, this was not his final goal, he wanted to make an NBA roster and compete at the highest level.
Along the way, he has many people by his side to make his dreams come true. He has a trainer that pushes him to be the best version of himself. Additionally, an NBA star and the reigning NBA MVP, Nas Davis tries to help Dj reach his goal. Nas and Dj met at an expedition game. Nas liked the way Dj played and wanted to help him get noticed. They trained together and pushed each other as they both benefited as a player. They both wanted the best for each other as Nas was looking for another MVP and Dj was looking to make a roster.
I relate to Dj’s story because I am also not the most skilled player in the world but I work hard everyday to try to get better. I have great people around me who help push me in all of my sports. For example, my friends and I play basketball on the weekends so we can be a better team in high school. We all have the same dream which is to make it to the NBA so I will recommend this book to my friends. Additionally, my mom played a division one sport so she knows what to do to make it to the next level. She pushes me to be the best and not settle for mediocrity. This book would inspire others in a similar way as me, who are trying to become the best player they can be.
If you like inspirational books that express hard work and motivation, I recommend this book for you. Hard work and dedication are the cornerstones of success. It requires consistent effort, resilience, in the face of challenges, and a commitment to long-term goals. This is expressed in the book Beyond the Arc that is about the journey of a boy named Dj who is chasing his dreams of making it to the NBA. This book has really shown me what can happen when you put in hard work and time into benefiting yourself. Additionally, it teaches me to block out all of the negative people in your life who don’t believe in you because they will bring your confidence down which will result in you playing bad. Life often presents obstacles and setbacks, but perseverance is what separates those who succeed and not. If you are trying to make it far in sports, I recommend this book to you because it inspires everyone to push themselves regardless of which sport.
April 19, 2023
First, Thank you so much to NetGalley, Green Hill Publishing, and Vernon Brundage Jr. for allowing me to possess an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book was great! As someone who never has never read a sports novel a day in her life, this book definitely kept me intrigued.
I will admit, some parts of the novel were slightly confusing to me. At one point of the novel, there's a situation (that I won't describe in detail to prevent spoilers) that seemed to come out of nowhere between DJ and his girlfriend that I thought could have been led up to more, but regardless, I still think Brundage did a good job portraying the life of DJ.
All-in-all, I felt like a proud mother reading about DJ and I would definitely recommend this novel to others!
This book was great! As someone who never has never read a sports novel a day in her life, this book definitely kept me intrigued.
I will admit, some parts of the novel were slightly confusing to me. At one point of the novel, there's a situation (that I won't describe in detail to prevent spoilers) that seemed to come out of nowhere between DJ and his girlfriend that I thought could have been led up to more, but regardless, I still think Brundage did a good job portraying the life of DJ.
All-in-all, I felt like a proud mother reading about DJ and I would definitely recommend this novel to others!
November 10, 2025
I read Beyond the Arc by Vernon Brundage Jr. This book shows different and interesting perspectives on the main character's (DJ) road to stardom in the NBA (National Basketball Association). DJ declared for the NBA Draft, meaning that the teams had the opportunity to select him to play for their team. However, even with each team being able to pick 1 player per round (2 Rounds, 64 Picks), DJ was undrafted do to concerns about his game. He had to keep grinding his way so that hopefully a team would not just acknowledge him, but sign him to their team. DJ ended up signing with the Washington Wizards, where he would break team records that a rookie had never beaten before. You probably are wondering how DJ got onto a team, right? DJ and the reigning NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player), Nas, went to a Pro-Am game at an open gym with thousands of fans watching. Nas hit the game-winning shot in that game, but he was impressed enough with DJ’s game to the point where not only did they have a conversation that sparked into a mentoring friendship, but to the point where it also caught multiple teams' attention, which is why he ended up signing with the Washington Wizards.
This book was definitely worth reading and changed my perspective on other things in life. This is not your typical underdog story, where the worst beats the best. This book was a journey. A journey where a kid who is passionate about the game of basketball puts in all of the hard work he can to go above and beyond and achieve the biggest accomplishments that you can. In the instance, DJ. A young adult coming out of college, declaring for the NBA Draft, knowing that he might not be selected, and when he found out that nobody drafted him, he did not give up. In fact, he put in the most work he possibly could. DJ and his miraculous NBA journey proved why hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.
On a scale from 1-10, I would rate this book a light 8/10 or 4 out of 5 Stars. This book is very inspirational and has changed the way I look at things, but like every other book, it is most certainly not perfect. A solid 20% was repetitive and boring, which made me not excited when my Mom told me I had to read for 45 Minutes, as I was in the middle of a game of Clash Royale. The other 80% was super intriguing, and I loved it. This book made me more passionate about basketball and helped bring back my love of the game. I would not necessarily call this book “inconsistent”, but looking at the percentage statistics that I provided for you, I highly prefer that you judge whether you want to read this book or not. I would recommend this book to anyone who is losing their joy of playing basketball.
This book was definitely worth reading and changed my perspective on other things in life. This is not your typical underdog story, where the worst beats the best. This book was a journey. A journey where a kid who is passionate about the game of basketball puts in all of the hard work he can to go above and beyond and achieve the biggest accomplishments that you can. In the instance, DJ. A young adult coming out of college, declaring for the NBA Draft, knowing that he might not be selected, and when he found out that nobody drafted him, he did not give up. In fact, he put in the most work he possibly could. DJ and his miraculous NBA journey proved why hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.
On a scale from 1-10, I would rate this book a light 8/10 or 4 out of 5 Stars. This book is very inspirational and has changed the way I look at things, but like every other book, it is most certainly not perfect. A solid 20% was repetitive and boring, which made me not excited when my Mom told me I had to read for 45 Minutes, as I was in the middle of a game of Clash Royale. The other 80% was super intriguing, and I loved it. This book made me more passionate about basketball and helped bring back my love of the game. I would not necessarily call this book “inconsistent”, but looking at the percentage statistics that I provided for you, I highly prefer that you judge whether you want to read this book or not. I would recommend this book to anyone who is losing their joy of playing basketball.
July 1, 2023
The way Brundage seamlessly blends the world of professional basketball with themes of resilience and self-discovery is truly remarkable.
DJ, who resonated deeply with me. His unwavering determination to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA, despite the odds stacked against him, is both inspiring and relatable. The challenges he faces, the sacrifices he makes, and the personal growth he undergoes throughout the narrative make for a compelling and engaging read.
The introduction of Marion Lake, my favorite character, adds a fascinating layer to the story. The development of DJ and Marion's relationship, capturing the essence of trust, mentorship, and the transformative power of guidance. It is a testament to your ability to create nuanced and dynamic characters.
With the vivid descriptions of basketball games and the intensity of the sport immerse readers in the action. I could practically feel the adrenaline and excitement as I followed DJ's journey on and off the court, cheering DJ on at every turn of the page. The clear atmosphere you create serves as a perfect backdrop to explore the deeper themes of personal growth and self-discovery.
Overall, "Beyond the Arc" is a testament to your talent as a writer. Your ability to captivate readers with a gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and themes that extend far beyond the game of basketball is truly commendable. Your book left me inspired and reminded me of the power of perseverance and self-belief. Thank you for sharing your remarkable storytelling with the world. I eagerly await your future work and the valuable insights they will undoubtedly bring.
DJ, who resonated deeply with me. His unwavering determination to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA, despite the odds stacked against him, is both inspiring and relatable. The challenges he faces, the sacrifices he makes, and the personal growth he undergoes throughout the narrative make for a compelling and engaging read.
The introduction of Marion Lake, my favorite character, adds a fascinating layer to the story. The development of DJ and Marion's relationship, capturing the essence of trust, mentorship, and the transformative power of guidance. It is a testament to your ability to create nuanced and dynamic characters.
With the vivid descriptions of basketball games and the intensity of the sport immerse readers in the action. I could practically feel the adrenaline and excitement as I followed DJ's journey on and off the court, cheering DJ on at every turn of the page. The clear atmosphere you create serves as a perfect backdrop to explore the deeper themes of personal growth and self-discovery.
Overall, "Beyond the Arc" is a testament to your talent as a writer. Your ability to captivate readers with a gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and themes that extend far beyond the game of basketball is truly commendable. Your book left me inspired and reminded me of the power of perseverance and self-belief. Thank you for sharing your remarkable storytelling with the world. I eagerly await your future work and the valuable insights they will undoubtedly bring.
February 5, 2025
I think this book is very well written. In the book the main character, D.J. Joyner, has one goal and one goal only, to make the NBA. Even though he went un-drafted the Washington wizards took a chance on him and he took them to the summer league championship, and won, alongside winning summer league MVP. This earned him a spot on the roster. As the season went along people got injured and people were traded leaving him to get the starting role right, before facing the top four teams though. Luckily over the summer he trained hard and helped them win 3 it of the four games. This is well written because many athletes get discouraged and this shows the effort you put in leads to how much you accomplish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
Partnered with this author for my nonprofit Books & Buckets. He gave out books for free for our youth and signed them all at LA times book festival. It was a great read that reminded me of some of my basketball journey growing up.
May 12, 2025
a book about basketball. dialogues in black english are tough to read for native speakers. sporty plot with not much of a moral lesson, but engaging account of matches played. didn't glean much from it not being a fan of sports.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews