Of Hoops and Men

Jon Ferguson, the writer, painter, teacher, and philosopher, is also the man who came to Switzerland, by chance, to live and perhaps play basketball in 1973. In this book, we learn that he arrived with one suitcase and $200 in his pocket, but almost half a century later, Ferguson is still with us. With his book Of Hoops and Men, he offers a unique, privileged, sharp and humanistic look at the golden age of Swiss basketball, which he lived through and was a key player, rubbing shoulders with extraordinary men and unsuspected stars.

When I first met Jon, I was immediately drawn to him. His ability to tell a story fascinated me and the eclectic way he pursued his life was unique and truly genuine. He was an artist, author, journalist and had time to somehow be a basketball player and coach. He has a passion for life and that comes through in his writing. My time in Switzerland had a huge impact on my life and people like Jon powered that journey. Reading the book brought me back to that time when the love of the game was pure. I’m sure that the readers will be fascinated by the unique talent found in the history of Swiss basketball and how Jon weaves them into the story. It was quite a show !

Jim Boylan, NCAA champion with Marquette University, Swiss Champion with Vevey Basket and later NBA Champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Jon Ferguson has been on a long, “magical” basketball trek for many years in a country full of beauty and surprises. Of Hoops and Men will not only make you laugh, but especially for basketball junkies will also provide another fascinating layer of players and other personalities who found themselves in Swiss basketball. Jon is a writer, a poet, and a basketball coach – what a great combination of skills and all are apparent in this delightful book.

Ron Adams, Assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Jon is truly unlike any person you will ever meet. Over the past 25 years, we’ve shared our summers at the Swiss All-star Basketball Camp and it’s left me with memories that will last a lifetime. His history on the game of basketball in Switzerland brings a fresh perspective and an entertaining outlook on life and the people who make up its story. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed living it.

Tom Sterner, NBA Coach for 25 years 

“Come over for a raclette,” he told his newly found American player, and in a moment, my path from the NBA to Swiss basketball became a journey of life with Jon Ferguson. Jon is the Phil Jackson of Switzerland wrapped in Dostoyevsky and Miro. Of Hoops and Men will take you on a captivating ride with the greatest basketball coach I ever played for.

John Greig, former NBA player who played for SF Lausanne

After playing for a #1 rated NCAA Division 1 team with a Hall of Fame college coach by the name of Ralph Miller and then on to NBA where I played with the only person to join the Hall of Fame for the NBA as both a player and a coach by the name of Lenny Wilkens I moved on to play for a brief time as a substitute for an injured player at Chêne. I did not get to play for a better coach who understood the nuance of basketball, but more importantly Jon understood the player as an individual person. I have the most respect for his style and commitment to the players. He got the best out of me in the short period I played for him and I continued to stay in touch with his fabulous career and successes in other endeavors. I have nothing but praise for him as a coach and even more so as a person. Switzerland is fortunate that he fell in love with and stayed. Hall of Fame coaches Ralph Miller and Lenny Wilkens have bigger resumes and winning records, but Jon had a better understanding of life.

Mark Radford, stellar NBA player who played for Chêne Basket