Uncaged: The Rise of Greg Oden, Mike Conley, and the National Champion Lawrence North Wildcats Book

Basketball rules in Indiana, and no one knows that better than Jack Keefer. As the only men's basketball coach in Lawrence North High School's history, Keefer has coached prep hoops in Indianapolis since the days of Bobby Knight's powerhouse mid-`70s squads. In that time, Keefer has had a lengthy list of All-Stars suit up for him: Eric Montross, Reed Crafton, Chris Hill, Tom Geyer, Jeff Leyden, Todd Leary, John Stewart. None have matched what Greg Oden and Mike Conley have accomplished, though. Matter of fact, none have even come close. Uncaged is the story of Oden--a two-time National Player of the Year and undoubtedly Indiana's most historically heralded center--and his rise from awkward, pre-teen prospect to dominating, dunking phenom. And it's the story of Conley, an Arkansas kid with a gold medal dad whose leadership on the court and talent with the dribble has led several to suggest that it's his presence--not that of the 7-foot Oden--that has secured his high school team so many victories. But Uncaged is also the story of a legendary coach and a treasure of talented role players who have steered Lawrence North toward three-straight state titles, an undefeated season, and the No. 1 ranking in the nation. Together, this team has simply been nearly unbeatable over the past four years--from 2003 to 2006 winning 103 games against just seven losses. This is their story, told for the first time. We may never see another Indiana high school team this good. And in the Hoosier state, that's really saying something.Read More