On a sunny day in December, Marial and his friends were playing in a field, shooting bows and arrows, when they were surprised by rebel soldiers. The recruiter singled him out, and without his family's knowledge or consent, he was taken away. Along with other young boys, he was forcibly removed from his home and forced to undergo training as a child soldier. Marial, a curious young boy who had a passion for learning, attended a newly established local school in his village, However, his education and entire life were abruptly interrupted when he was drafted into the rebel army to fight in the Sudanese civil war. This conflicted with his aspiration to receive an education, and he made attempts to escape the draft throughout his boyhood. The story recounts a series of traumatic experiences during army training and his eventual escape, which led him across international borders and into a life of uncertainty in a refugee camp in Kenya.

While in the camp, Marial discovered the game of basketball. Despite his past as a former child soldier, he defied the odds and became a highly promising basketball player, earning an athletic scholarship to high school and eventually graduating from college. This incredible journey showcases his resilience and determination to persevere, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.