I Came As a Shadow

Iconic basketball coach who made trmendous contributions to college basketball, race relations, and culture. I was never a Georgetown fan, but held a healthy respect for their program. I remember the games he talks about in this book well, reliving those clashes from back in the day. Just learning where Patrick Ewing's t-shirt habit came from, and what happened with Michael Graham, were worth the price of the book. It was also gratifying to read that, just as I remembered it, Michael Graham was really the first basketball player to shave his head. He looked fearsome.

Thompson was unapologetically Black during a time when White America thought racism had been eradicated. Racism was a problem of the past, we thought, and couldn't understand why Thompson and others "kept playing the race card." How our eyes have opened over the past 40 years (and if yours haven't opened yet, pay better attention). Racism continues to be a problem in America, and people like Thompson have helped us take significant strides forward, while helping us realize we have significant more to take. I couldn't understand his anger then; reading this book, combined with current events, put so much in perspective.

This was one of of those books that made you want to hang out with the author -- just sit back and listen to the author's tales and experiences. I'm happy Thompson got this project done before his passing. It's a shame people have to die.

One inconsequential thing that occurred to me while reading this book: I knew that Thompson recruited someone I played against in high school, back in the late '80s. While reading, I suddenly realized that Thompson has possibly seen video of me playing basketball. If he did, though, it was of me getting jumped over by someone too big, too strong, and too athletic for me to guard. I hope he didn't watch that tape too many times.