Includes bibliographical references (pages 407-416) and index.

Preface -- Harvard-on-Hudson -- The Bridge of Sighs -- Epilogue.

New York's City College was a tuition-free, merit-based college in Harlem known far more for its intellectual achievements and political radicalism than its athletic prowess. In 1949-1950 every single member of the City College Beavers was either Jewish or African American. Under the guidance of the legendary former player Nat Holman, this unheralded group of city kids would stun the basketball world by becoming the only team in history to win the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year. During the following season, all of the team's starting five were arrested by New York City detectives, charged with conspiring with gamblers to shave points. Goodman creates a portrait of an era when college basketball was far more popular than the professional game, gangsters controlled illegal sports betting, and everyone was getting rich-- except for the young men who actually played the games. -- adapted from jacket