Women's basketball holds a special place in the contemporary scene of highly organised and expansive Japanese American leagues in California, in part because these leagues have produced numerous talented players. Using data from interviews and observations, Nicole Willms explores the interplay of social forces and community dynamics that have shaped this unique context of female athletic empowerment.

Introduction: “This Is What We Do”
1 “Everybody Plays”: The Inclusiveness of J-League Basketball        
2 "In JA Circles, Girls And Boys Are On Equal Footing”: The (Re)negotiation of Gender in J-League Basketball                                                                                                             
3 “Women Who Took Sports Beyond Play”: How Japanese American Women’s Basketball Went to College                                                                                                                              
4 “We’re Turning Them Into Stars!” The Japanese American Female Basketball Player as Icon      
5 “You Play Basketball?” Ruling The Court as An Unexpected Athlete                     
6 Conclusion: “It’s A Testament of What The Japanese Leagues Can Do for Young Girls”
Acknowledgements                                                         
Methodological Appendix   
Notes                                                                                                 
Bibliography                                                                                                                   
Index