Sooley

In Sooley, bestselling author John Grisham turns his attention from legal dramas to the high-stakes world of American college basketball. The story centres on seventeen-year-old Samuel Sooleymon, a gifted athlete from South Sudan who travels to the United States with his national teammates for a showcase tournament. While he possesses remarkable raw athleticism and leaping ability, his broader skills still require refinement to impress professional scouts.

Tragedy strikes while he is abroad when civil conflict erupts across his homeland, devastating his village and scattering his family into refugee camps. Unable to return home, Samuel receives a scholarship from North Carolina Central. Driven by an urgent desire to support and reunite with his surviving family, he devotes himself entirely to training. When injuries leave his university team short-handed, Samuel earns his opportunity on the court, sparking an unforgettable journey. Grisham delivers a moving and suspenseful portrait of resilience, ambition, and personal sacrifice.