Breaking Through is the first biography of John B. McLendon, the last living protégé of basketball's inventor and a pioneer in the integration of the sport.

In his new book, Katz chronicles the highlights of McLendon's career, including the "secret game" between his North Carolina College players and the Duke University Medical School in 1944. McLendon's life included a long list of firsts - the first coach to win three consecutive national titles; the first black coach of an integrated professional team; the first black coach at a predominately white college; the first black coach to publish a basketball book; the first black coach on the Olympic staff and the first black coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

McLendon was an early pioneer of game preparation, conditioning, the fast break and the full court press. He coached future NBA standouts Sam Jones, Dick Barnett and John Barnhill, and he had a 76 percent winning mark over 25 years in coaching college basketball. Nevertheless, he taught his players that dignity and self-respect were more important than numbers on a scoreboard.

Breaking Through will provide not only history, but inspiration to those who have a love of the sport of basketball.

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