Dream Squad: The League Begins (Book 4 of 7)

The Warriors are back — and the dream just got bigger.

Dream Squad: The League Begins continues the story of Musa, Adem, Amari, Kofi, Saliou, and the Warriors after their first road-game victory. Riding home full of pride, the boys quickly learn from Coach Brooks that their journey is only beginning. The Warriors have been invited to join the Atlantic Rising League, a new youth basketball league featuring strong teams from across West Africa.

The opportunity is bigger than anything the boys have faced before. With support from the Global Hoops Alliance, the league champion will earn a trip to Barcelona, Spain, to compete against a European youth champion. For the Warriors, the dream of basketball beyond the village suddenly feels real.

But before Barcelona can become possible, the boys must learn what it means to compete at a higher level. Their first major test comes against Dakar Lions Academy, the league favorite led by talented star Ibrahima "Ibra" Diop. The Warriors discover that talent and heart are not enough without discipline, preparation, trust, and teamwork.

As Coach Brooks, Emily Brooks, Coach Miller, and Coach Grant guide the team, the boys begin to understand that a true team is more than five good players. Diallo, Mensah, and Kwame step closer to the heart of the story as the Warriors learn that everyone has a role to play.

After a difficult loss, Musa and his teammates return to the village with a new lesson: losing does not end the dream. It shows how much work the dream requires.

Dream Squad: The League Begins is a middle-grade basketball story about friendship, family, resilience, leadership, and the courage to keep going after a hard lesson.