"Perkey’s self-deprecating wit is as good as his hoops game"
- Robert Dzik, Author of "The Cigarette Ballet"
"a humorous and thoughtful first novel"
- Stan Olson, Charlotte News/Observer Sports Writer (ret.)
"Rich writes like he's been doing this for years"
- Ernie Reigel, Davidson Wildcat Point Guard, 1976 to 1980
"a very honest account of one young man's dream of playing D1 college basketball"
- Michael "Bruno" Sorrentino, Davidson College Class of 1974
Seeking The Big Time explores the gap between fame and fulfillment, asking whether achieving the dream we’ve pursued is truly what makes a meaningful life.
Growing up in 1960s Virginia, aspiring basketball star Dickie Perkey sets his sights on the big time with one goal in mind: a crowd roaring his name. His secret weapon? His signature "granny shot," flung skyward from between his legs, which narrowly avoids the gonads of whichever neighborhood boys are unfortunate enough to guard him . . . most of the time.
Determined to play Division I college ball, Dickie rebrands himself as “Rich” and trades neighborhood rivalries for Davidson College, balancing pickup games with picking up trash on the campus grounds crew. Rich barely makes the Davidson Wildcats as a walk-on, but when his practice triumphs against folding chairs meet the harsh reality of elite college sports, Rich must face the ultimate trial. As the clock ticks down on the basketball fantasy he’s dreamed of his whole life, the buzzer sounds. Will Rich make the cut? Or will he realize the big time means something entirely different?
Tip Off
Nov
11
th
A humorous, heartfelt and poignant story about ambition, identity, perseverance, and discovering that success may look very different from what we imagined.
"While Rich may not have been an all-league point guard, he is an All-American humorist and storyteller. He captures perfectly the unforgettable cast of characters who starred in the highlights, the low lights and the unexpected twists and turns of an interesting and at times, simply zany, period of Davidson basketball and college athletics. Whether a hoops junkie, or not, this is a wildly entertaining read."
— Dr. John Gerdy, Founder & CEO, Music for Everyone
"A heartwarming and funny throwback to a bygone era, Seeking The Big Time balances the brashness of youth with the harsh realities of chasing the biggest dreams. It is fast paced, sometimes unbelievable, and oftentimes irreverent! But ultimately, it captures a true underdog story and a boy who had to make the big time, no matter what."
— Chris Clunie, VP & Director of Athletics, Davidson College
About Richard
Rich Perkey earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Davidson College, where he rose to be captain of the men’s varsity basketball team after joining as a nonscholarship walk-on. Shaped by his athletic experiences, Richard translated his ability to read people into a highly successful career as one of the nation’s top executive search consultants. He has also served as a color analyst for Wildcat Basketball radio broadcasts. Rich lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Seeking the Big Time, loosely based on his life, is Rich’s debut novel.
© Copyright 2026. Richard Perkey.