Summary

In the tender embrace of Darby Township, where the whispers of the Greater Philadelphia loomed large, Derick Loury penned the inaugural chapters of his life. With the rhythmic dribble of a basketball as his constant companion, Loury unfolds his autobiography, a small-town boy with eyes alight with the glint of Division 1 dreams.

This is not merely a tale; it is a tapestry woven with the meticulous threads of encyclopedic detail and the vibrant hues of personal sagas. A humble, authentic reflection of a life's journey, Derick's narrative is a heartfelt sojourn through the corridors of self-discovery. The heart of his story beats to the pulsating rhythm of basketball, a steadfast echo from boyhood to the stern corridors of law enforcement.

As Loury takes us by the hand, we tread the storied paths of his youth in Darby Township. Here, amid the laughter and trials of a young black child in a predominantly white enclave, he confronts the jagged edges of racism, slicing through the fabric of the Southeast Delco School District with policies that shield privilege, leaving a community to grapple with the aftermath of a legal storm that would scar its history.

It is basketball, that sacred dance on the court, intertwined with an unwavering faith, that casts the longest shadows in Loury's odyssey. For even as the specters of grief and loss loomed, clouding his school days and darkening the doorstep of home, it was the discipline of sport that restored structure to his world, and the solace of faith that ushered him into the arms of community.

As a man, Loury's life would continue to be a testament to giving, his legacy etched in the sports programs he championed. Through the mosaic of faces and stories that touched his life, he found a richness beyond measure. Grief's sharp edges were softened by the gentle ebb and flow of fishing trips with his grandparents, where he pieced together the fragments of his heart.

In the foreword, Jay Wright, the esteemed Naismith Hall of Fame Coach and a steadfast beacon in Loury's life, offers a window into the soul of a friend. Through Loury's eyes, we journey across the landscape of eastern Pennsylvania, each experience, each trial and triumph, converging to mold the man of honor we see today.

Derick Loury's story is an invitation to walk the streets of his memories, to see the world through his victories and defeats, and to understand how a dream, when chased with relentless passion, can define one's destiny.

Author Biography

Derick Loury, Prison Warden, is retracing his footsteps to explore how he arrived at his position in life. The purpose that God revealed in Derick Loury's life was hidden in the hallways of fear, disappointments and cultural dependency, exposed in the crease of life's twists and turns through admitted failures. It's believed that the nature of his grandparents influenced his desire to love mankind through helping others and giving back to his church, community and the criminal justice system while obeying the Holy Spirit. What's understandably clear is three crucial factors set the stage for Derick that defined his purpose. Accepting Jesus Christ at an early age opened doors to receive purpose, grace and mercy. Jesus covered Derick in his quest to be an esteemed African American father, husband and professional person. Earning a full basketball scholarship enabled him to enter into the realm of knowledge and understanding. Pledging into the noble Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity allowed him to gain access into the relationship matrix that endears faith, controls wealth of resources, protects information, shares intelligence and solidifies his purpose in God's kingdom. In 20 seasons as Villanova's William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach, Jay Wright has guided the Wildcats to new heights, including NCAA national championships in 2016 and 2018. On May 16, 2021 it was announced that the 1983 Bucknell University graduate will be inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2021.

Villanova has posted 233 victories in the past eight seasons, an average of 29.1 per year. In 2020-21 the Wildcats overcame three COVID pauses and a season-ending knee injury to co-BIG EAST Player of the Year Collin Gillespie to post an 18-7 overall record. Along the way, the Wildcats captured their seventh BIG EAST regular season crown since 2013 and were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 every week of the '20-21 campaign.

In January 2020 Wright was named the Associated Press men's college basketball Coach of the Decade.

In 2017-18, the Wildcats amassed a school record 36 victories and secured Villanova's third NCAA national championship with a 79-62 victory over Michigan on April 2, 2018. Jalen Brunson became Villanova's first consensus National Player of the Year in the modern era, joining Paul Arizin as the only VU players to earn that distinction. In 2016, Villanova defeated North Carolina 77-74 when Kris Jenkins drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 35-5 campaign with an NCAA national title.

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