For Jim, there's nothing in the world like dribbling a basketall downcourt, hearing the squeak of his sneakers, feeling the pebbled surface of the bouncing ball, flying for the basket. Basketball is everything.

But Jim is short, and it's not easy being a short basketball player. He's worked hard to get onto the traveling team, and now he's determined to earn himself a starting position -- if only his grandmother doesn't mess things up for him. Every weekend the family does something with Nana, and sometimes Jim is forced to miss his Saturday practice. Coach Mondini isn't the type to understand if a player misses practice or arrives late....

Jim's parents tell him he can learn a lot from Nana, but Jim is worried that his obligations to her may lose him the one thing he cares about -- his place on the basketball team.