Lance Allred was probably the last person you'd expect to make it in professional sports. Not only did he grow up on a polygamist commune in Montana, he struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder. If those hurdles to the NBA don't seem large enough, Lance is also deaf. Self-deprecating, witty, and wholly original, Longshot is the unlikely story of an unlikely athlete, who despite these factors and a lot of setbacks along the way, finally realized his dream of playing in the NBA, becoming the first legally deaf player in the league. Lance refused to let others' expectations hinder his dreams, and his refreshing sense of humor about his disability allowed him to face these setbacks without giving up. From his childhood on the commune where he was "Mormon royalty" (his grandfather was prophet Rulon Allred of the fundamentalist sect) to his first time picking up a basketball (eighth grade), to his clumsy efforts to build his skills while growing into his 6' 11" frame, Longshot is a riveting account of a young man finding his purpose and letting the love of the game drive him toward his ultimate goal. Going inside the competitive world of collegiate basketball and the strange experience of playing professionally in Europe, with paychecks that never arrive and a knee injury Lance's team didn't want to cover, Longshot recounts the moment when Lance hit rock bottom. When he came back to the United States for surgery, Lance was prepared to let go of his basketball dreams and become a high school history teacher like his dad. But luckily he had an agent who didn't want to see Lance's dream die, and who found him a deal with the Idaho Stampede, an NBA Development League team in Boise. Although it was paltry pay, it was the last resort. And Lance slowly began to be noticed. Revealing the resilient heart of a young man who truly believes that it's not about failure or success but about being willing to try, Longshot is a Rudy story for a new generation, a tale of inspiration, dedication, and the power of a dream. Yes, Allred made it to the NBA, for three games in the 2007–08 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. By comparison, Paul Shirley, the original literary basketball gypsy (Can I Keep My Jersey? 2007) played in 18 NBA games over three seasons. Hardly distinguised careers, but there must be something about being tall, introspective, and not quite good enough for the NBA that lends itself to fine writing. Allred, in an ingratiating, self-deprecating style, writes of his Mormon youth in a polygamous community. Remarkably, it was fairly normal by conventional standards. His father had two wives, but one was essentially out of the picture as Allred grew up. He is deaf, though hearing aids help. (One particularly sensitive teacher ascribed his disability to his support for Satan in pre-existence, contending that deafness was a lesser punishment from a merciful God.) Allred was a high-school star, then played at Utah and later  in Europe and the NBA’s developmental league before finally enjoying his proverbial cup of coffee with the Cavs. His is a genuinely unlikely story, but he relates it with humor, insight, and compassion. --Wes Lukowsky In a devastatingly honest and poignant book of family, basketball and life, Lance Allred, the best writing big man ever, mesmerizes with a memoir born of the cruelty and inspiration of a game that could never hold him down. (Adrian Wojnarowski, author of The Miracle of St. Anthony) “Lance Allred is excruciatingly honest without ever feeling sorry for himself. His painful and hilarious odyssey is more inspiring and triumphant than the story of any NBA championship. Allred has written The Glass Castle of pro sports.” (Ian Thomsen, senior NBA writer, Sports Illustrated) “Longshot is more than a remarkable sports story. It’s a reminder of how much can be accomplished when you never give up on a dream.” (Rudy Ruettiger, subject of the original major motion picture "Rudy") “What an incredible life. Lance’s story proves that the trials and tribulations he faced made him stronger.” (Jim Morris, author of THE ROOKIE) Longshot is a must read! It will inspire you and entertain you at the same time. (Dick Vitale) “An inspiration for anyone who’s ever wanted to succeed at anything that appeared out of reach.” (Kenny Mayne, from the Foreword) “Hoosiers meets Big Love with a dash of Crime and Punishment. You will never look at an NBA player, particularly those at the end of the bench, the same way again.” (Ric Bucher, senior writer, ESPN The Magazine) In an ingratiating, self-deprecating style...[Allred’s] is a genuinely unlikely story, but he relates it with humor, insight, and compassion. (Booklist) A Paul Shirley–esque tale of a basketball outsider....a welcome departure from cookie-cutter sports autobiographies. (Kirkus Reviews) “Allred’s voice is humorously self-deprecating and youthfully winning.” (Publishers Weekly) “A fascinating read.” (The Salt Lake Tribune) “Much