Book Review: Recruiting Blue Chip Prospects

Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt

Hit the court with Recruiting Blue Chip Prospects—a slam dunk of a coming-of-age tale

In Ken Hogarty’s Recruiting Blue Chip Prospects, readers are transported to Sacramento in 1991. Through the eyes of high school senior Patrick Kiernan, we’re granted a front-row seat to a world where dreams, ambitions, and the seedy underbelly of high-stakes college athletic recruitment collide in a spellbinding narrative.

The story revolves around Patrick, a young journalist-in-the-making who secures his dream job in the sports section of a local newspaper. He is our guide through a tumultuous year at the prestigious Catholic school LaSalle, where he navigates the highs and lows of his fellow student, T.R. Ward, a promising blue chip basketball prospect. 

When T.R.’s mentor and substitute father figure is accused of reaping under-the-table rewards from prospective colleges on T.R.’s behalf, readers are thrown into a vivid portrayal of how college recruitment operated four decades ago. Hogarty fearlessly exposes the predators who sought to exploit underprivileged boys, especially those of color, trying to create better lives than those of generations before them.

While the core of the novel centers on high school athletics and the ever-enticing world of sports journalism, Patrick’s personal life adds a layer of complexity that opens the story to a wider audience. His struggle to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend Suzie, who has recently become “born-again” and found solace in her newfound faith, offers an intriguing counterpoint to the sporting drama. The tension between the couple highlights the broader theme of personal growth and the challenges of maturing relationships in the face of evolving beliefs.

Recruiting Blue Chip Prospects is a riveting tale of both the quest for athletic greatness and the messy and multifaceted journey of becoming a man. It dives deep into the turbulence of teenage emotions, offering valuable life lessons through the lens of Patrick’s favorite English teacher, Mr. Wilson. These lessons range from choosing the moral high ground to navigating changing and deepening male friendships at the precipice of adulthood to understanding the complexities of teenage hormones and first loves. The book does a fantastic job of encouraging open and healthy emotional expression, starkly contrasting the toxic masculinity often associated with the sports world, particularly in the 1980s.

In addition to its thematic depth, the narrative excels in character development. Readers will witness the transformation of boys into men, their growth and self-discovery, and the lessons they learn along the way. As Patrick and his peers face the challenges life throws at them, they become more than just characters in a story; they become friends, brothers, and mentors, each with unique struggles and triumphs.

Incorporating Patrick’s writings, including notes, letters, news clippings, and school assignments, provides an intimate and human connection to the story. These passages serve as windows into his world, allowing readers to better understand his perspective and adding layers of authenticity to the narrative.

Hogarty’s writing is engaging and emotionally resonant, as he weaves a tale of scandal, success, betrayal, contrition, and the trials of manhood. The book is an amalgamation of heart-pounding sports sequences and gut-wrenching drama, delivering a story that caters to sports enthusiasts, drama lovers, and those seeking a coming-of-age story. 

Recruiting Blue Chip Prospects is more than just a sports novel. It’s a poignant exploration of the human condition, wrapped in the trappings of high school athletics and the enigmatic world of sports journalism. Hogarty’s storytelling prowess shines through. This book deserves a spot on your reading list, whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or simply looking for an emotionally charged and thought-provoking read.

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