Underbelly Hoops: Adventures in the CBA - A.K.A. The Crazy Basketball Association

by Carson Cunningham

UNDERBELLY HOOPS covers Carson Cunningham's final season in the storied and now defunct Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In the process, it takes a sober look at minor league professional basketball, as Cunningham tries to navigate a poor relationship with his coach and yet finish his career on his own terms by playing a final season and winning a championship.

As UNDERBELLY HOOPS shows, the CBA was a realm where hopeful players desperately hung on and crusty motels might very well have no clocks. It was a place where a trainer could be ordered to fill the visiting team's cooler with warm shower water and a coach might tell a player (namely, Cunningham) that he was focusing too much on his marriage and child rather than basketball. It was also a place where entire hotel wings could become saturated with the pungent smell of marijuana. 

And yet, even as it chipped away at your dignity and made little economic sense to remain, the CBA drew you in with the allure of action and the prospect of an NBA call-up. And it could inspire, like when you and your teammates caught a rhythm that made you remember why basketball is such a beautiful game, or when you saw guys continue to strive, to persevere, even if their dreams weren't fully realized.

"The hoops answer to Ball Four. By turns funny and poignant—and always self aware—this book allows fans into the locker room and huddle, yes, but also into the cortex of a professional basketball player. If Carson Cunningham could have jumped, run and created his shot off the dribble as masterfully as he writes and observes, he'd be starring in the NBA."
—L. Jon Wertheim, Senior Writer for SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction, Memoir

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

My latest book, ALONGSIDE HAMILTON, is historical fiction. It tells the story of two unlikely friends who go to Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War. Rory Mac, a poor, fatherless former newsboy goes to rescue his first true love, a Cuban heroine. Hamilton "Ton" Fish Jr. goes out of principle, to free Cuba. But they go together, and they go as members of Teddy Roosevelt’s famed Rough Riders, the most uncommon lot of soldiers America has ever seen. Together they face up to the incredible possibilities and harsh realities of life and come to represent the magnificent potential of America itself.

Prior, I wrote FALLEN STARS, which looks at the startling lives & remarkable times of five war-hero American athletes who died in military service from the late 19th century Spanish-American war to America's 21st century war in Afghanistan. The men covered in FALLEN STARS are Pat Tillman (NFL standout who died serving in Afghanistan), Bob Kalsu (Okla. Sooner All-American, only NFL player killed in Vietnam War), Nile Kinnick (Heisman Trophy winner, World War II pilot), Hobey Baker (WWI pilot, Princeton football standout, hockey great), and Ham Fish (crew champion, boxer, first Rough Rider killed in the Spanish-American War).

The 21st CENTURY ADVENTURES of HUCKLEBERRY FINN, covers the remarkable story of how, one-hundred and seventy years after falling into an Arctic ice hole, Huck Finn is discovered, thawed out, and brought back to life, unleashing his original personality upon the modern world.

UNDERBELLY HOOPS is a memoir about my days playing professional basketball in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). AMERICAN HOOPS covers the history of the U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball team from Berlin to Beijing. And BEFORE THE CURSE is a collection of vintage Chicago Cubs articles, with introductions to the articles by Dr. Randy Roberts and me.

In 2006, I earned a Ph.D. in history from Purdue, and in 2013 I completed an MBA at DePaul. I'm the head men's basketball coach at the University of the Incarnate Word. My wife Christy, essentially superwoman, and I have six children. Word Up!

Reviews

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I figured this would be similar to the stories I've read of minor league baseball players. It isn't. Certainly parts are the same. It seems there's a mix of the young players out of college or high school looking for a way up to the NBA as well as older, seasoned players, some with issues, some trying the US after or before a foreign league. And the pay is lousy, the fans often absent, the travel unglamorous, the team close to bankruptcy. And like minor league baseball, for the players it's all about the game. But in the CBA, sort of minor league basketball, there are fewer games than baseball, making each one more important. This puts incredible stress on the players and coaches, and based on this book, I'd say it makes folks, well, crazy. Cunningham's take on the coach of his team, the Rockford Lightening, is so much less than flattering, albeit with some appreciation of the accomplishments. He makes Bobby Knight look like Gandhi in comparison. The players seem to be almost comic book exaggerations, although it seems those characterizations are true. Any bad game, and a player, or even all players, could be replaced, possibly ending their basketball careers. Having lived in a CBA town, I never realized the level of stress those teams were under.

Cunningham writes very folksy, and I found his writing refreshing. I did catch a few chapters where he was blowing his own horn, but by and large most of the book seemed to be "tell it like he saw it", not ego driven. The author doesn't meet his lofty goals for his season (not even close), but that also makes the journey enjoyable and real. And humorous. When the coach cajoles the trainer into stealing tape from almost defunct teams and soap from third tier hotels, you know you are reading about people on or a bit over the edge.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique look into the underbelly of professional basketball – it’s buckets! This is a very entertaining and insightful view of what players that have such a deep love for the game are willing to go through in their quest to continue playing. With a wide array of characters – coaches and players alike - the reader is able to see the talent, as well as the shenanigans, that occur behind the scenes. It was a great read and I would highly recommend it!

[Brian Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thoroughly enjoyed this book. it is a great look into the struggle of minor league basketball. i am from nwi where carson is a hs hoops legend, and i figured i'd give his book a try. i was impressed, and look forward to reading his other books.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an entertaining look at the minor league of basketball. You don't need to be a hard core basketball fan to enjoy this (I'm not). If you are a sports fan in general, this is a must read.

The book was meticulously researched and includes footnotes. The colorful characters that Carson encountered and the crazy stories made for an engrossing book. My favorite characters included his coach, Boss Closs, and Ronnie Fields. Absolutely hilarious! The book was based on a diary that Carson kept during the season which enabled him to remember all of the funny little stories.

The story also had a balance of drama as Carson endured the coaches constant threats of cutting him. I found myself rooting for him just to stay on the team. This was a refreshing change from the typical sports drama where the story hinges on a championship moment.

As Carson Cunningham told the story, he often discussed some of each players background. While I found this interesting for the main characters, the nature of minor league basketball is that there is a lot of roster churn so I found this distracting for some of the other players who had only a brief appearance. This is what kept the book from being 5 stars.

[Philip Dane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underbelly Hoops: Adventures in the CBA ... is more than just a story of one man's pursuit of a professional career in basketball. As he returns to the game that offered him so much throughout his youth he begins to find somewhat of a through-line that is connecting professional aspirations, childhood dreams and a lifelong passion. As he is pushing his body, challenging his preconceived notions about adulthood or maybe dragging his feet a bit before making the next inevitable plunge into career-hood he has some revelations. Carson has brilliant flashes on the court as he showcases the talent that garnered interest from his coach but he also demonstrates that he has a clear lens of perspective. Read into this 'Underbelly Hoops' adventure as it speaks to the visions of many a young lad.

[Kenn Staub · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of basketball but I really enjoyed this book. Having lived in a town with a minor league basketball team and attended games, it was interesting to get an inside look at something I otherwise knew very little about...it seems like minor basketball is much more cut throat than minor league baseball. Interesting, informative, and easy to read, I'd recommend this book to any sports fan who is looking to get an inside look. (By the way, Mr. Cunningham Minot is in North, not South Dakota).

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! For basketball fans or athletes who get what it's like to eat, sleep, and live your sport and what you go through when that world starts to end and another begins. Well written and super engaging. Carson captures every emotion. Really gained a deeper understanding of him and his passion for the game and life.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cunningham has the appropriate sense of humor to write a book about the CBA. Sometimes he gets close to taking it too seriously, but for the most part he keeps it light and sarcastic. His explanation of why the league exists, its history, and its current predicament is appropriately, but not ponderously, explained. However, I had to take a star off because he said Abe Lincoln was from Indiana.

[Michael Retseck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good behind the scenes insight that I love. Helps me understand the game more. It meant a lot more to me since I played high school ball with Carson and could relate to a lot of things he talked about.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read for anyone connected to basketball.

[Timothy Trotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

T the contents of the book will strike you at times as appalling and at other times humorous. You may find yourself rooting for all the players and it really shows how hard it is to make it to the highest level of basketball. The parts covering how they came to be in the CBA were enthralling but this takes a backseat to the actual games heading to the playoffs.

[Eric Gittins]

If you live in the USA and have done nothing but play and watch basket-ball all your life you might find this book slightly interesting or a might amusing. After 93 pages I was forced to give up as I kept falling asleep and decided instead watch the grass grow in my back yard.It seemed to move with more pace than this egocentric pile of "Then I Did nonsense" Sorry Mr Cunningham I don't usually stop reading a book before the end but this is a rare one where I found it impossible to finish.