We Are Family

In this section, the narrative counters the triumph of winning the Classic and the early tournament games with a series of challenges. The setbacks sow doubt about Hoop Group’s ability to succeed. These obstacles reinforce the novel’s central message that success is never linear—every achievement is met with new hurdles that require adaptability and resilience, highlighting the themes of Daily Persistence and Self-Control and Demonstrating Leadership and Fostering Community. The adversity arises with the lack of funding for next year. While the development limits the future of Hoop Group, it doesn’t jeopardize their season. Tamika declares, “None of us know what’s gonna happen next year, so right now we gotta focus on this year. This year we are going to win the Invitational, but that means that we gotta get serious” (256). Her speech underscores her role as the team’s emotional anchor, demonstrating how leadership is not just about skill but about motivating others through uncertainty. The speech showcases Tamika’s persistence and leadership, yet her arch shifts when she quits due to guilt over her father’s hospitalization, embodying Sacrificing for Other People. 

Her temporary departure from the team marks a key moment of internal conflict, reinforcing the novel’s exploration of how even the strongest leaders struggle with self-doubt. Turning from antagonist to ally, Coach Beck announces his support for Tamika. The story twists again, with Tamika rejoining the team. Kendrick King then ensures the future of Hoop Group by vowing to fund it. He also brings an end to Jayden’s mother’s lack of employment by hiring her to run the afterschool programs. This moment cements Kendrick not just as a symbolic role model but as a tangible agent of change in the story, illustrating the power of resources and influence when used for communal uplift. Though Kendrick’s generosity ensures Hoop Group’s future, the real triumph belongs to the players themselves. Jayden’s game-winning shot and Tamika’s leadership prove that their resilience, teamwork, and dedication—not outside intervention—define their success.

While the characters speak about Kendrick throughout the story, he doesn’t appear in person until the penultimate chapter. Kendrick’s appearance coincides with the climax, making him as big of a deal as Hoop Group winning the tournament. His delayed arrival builds suspense, positioning him as a near-mythical figure whose presence alone shifts the momentum of the story. From a negative angle, Kendrick steals the spotlight from the kids when, as an NBA star, he should already have plenty of visibility. Redirecting the focus, Coach Beck tells a nurse, “The real star is my daughter. She’s the reason they won today” (287). If Tamika didn’t lean in, then Kendrick wouldn’t have had a team to coach. This line reaffirms Tamika’s agency, ensuring that her contributions aren’t overshadowed by the arrival of a famous male figure. A positive interpretation is that Kendrick uses his fame to draw attention to Lorain and Tamika’s team. His role highlights a tension present in many sports narratives: the intersection of individual greatness and communal success. Hoop Group thrives not just because of Kendrick’s involvement but because of the collective perseverance of its members.

Kendrick’s charity toward Lorain mimics LeBron James’s extensive financial investments in Akron, creating a link between Kendrick and James. Both demonstrate a commitment to their hometowns and an interest in maintaining their communities. This portrayal aligns with real-world discussions of athlete philanthropy, in which sports figures use their wealth and influence to counter systemic neglect in their communities. At the same time, their largesse alludes to other issues. Ideally, Lorain wouldn’t need to rely on Kendrick because their government would support them. The absence of proactive government support raises the question of whether private charity should be a necessary substitute for systemic solutions. Scholars Carl Rhodes and Peter Bloom have argued that when social programs are replaced by billionaire philanthropy, it allows governments to evade responsibility for structural inequities (Rhodes, Carl, and Peter Bloom. “The Trouble With Charitable Billionaires.” The Guardian, 24 May 2018). The novel suggests a similar tension: Kendrick’s generosity saves Hoop Group, but it also underscores the failure of institutional support for youth programs.

James and Williams title the book We Are Family, and the family motif supports the central themes. As the young characters come together as a family, Chris exerts self-control. Instead of lying about his relationship with Kendrick, he tells the truth, and his honesty pushes him to reach out to Kendrick, which saves Hoop Group. During the game, Chris evinces sacrifice by overriding Kendrick and insisting that Jayden take the last shot. Chris’s decision marks his full transformation from an insecure, boastful player into a true team member who prioritizes collective success over individual recognition. Chris chooses the team over potential individual glory. The team grows into a family, with the members displaying a keen loyalty to each other. While Coach McGrath tries to recruit Jayden away from his team, they pull him back, shouting, “Hoop Group forever! Hoop Group forever!” (293). This closing moment encapsulates the novel’s core message: True success is not just about winning games but about forging bonds that transcend the sport itself. Similar to family members, the five young people display a deep bond. At the same time, Jayden keeps the option of playing for Coach McGrath, suggesting that even close-knit families can separate or come apart. By leaving Jayden’s decision open-ended, the novel avoids a simplistic conclusion, instead reinforcing the idea that personal growth often involves difficult choices between loyalty and opportunity.