Samuel was eager to be coached and tried to unwind his bad habits, but it would take time.
-- Narrator (Chapter 3)

Importance: Because Samuel has never been formally coached, his shooting and dribbling skills were not the standard that either Ecko or Lonnie expected of a player his age. Samuel, however, was motivated to improve and wanted to be coached. Both of his coaches were impressed because he spent long hours of individual practice attempting to correct his bad habits and improve.

Later in bed, though, he could not shake the image of the young boy being killed for no reason. He was about the same size and age of Chol, who was twelve. Who was he? Where was he from? Did he have family?
-- Narrator (Chapter 6)

Importance: Samuel does not mention the ambush he witnessed to his family, but he is haunted by thoughts of the young boy killed by the soldiers. He wonders how a...