When a young boy in Harlem brings home a brand new pair of Nike Black and Red Double Dunks, he can already see his future as an NBA star. Feeling confident, cool, ice cold even, he challenges all of his friends at his local basketball court and beats everyone with ease. But lurking outside of the court fence is a challenger No Joke Moke, the barefoot basketball champion of East Harlem.
This is the story of my Allstar shoes and the short life they lived on my size 9 feet begins the young narrator of The Barefoot Champion. Told in simple yet thoughtful language, Barefoot Champion evokes all of the youthful dreams, exciting new pairs of shoes, and playground legends that make childhood so fun and memorable.