Everything changed for Susie Walker-Byrd, 48, when her son, Bryce Walker-Byrd, entered the fifth grade. That is when basketball became more than just a diversion, and Bryce’s summers, like his winters, became dedicated to playing in as many games as possible.

“The whole family sacrificed for Bryce,” said Walker-Byrd, a married social worker who has two younger daughters. She did not let her daughters be involved sports, clubs or after-school activities for several years because the family’s money was going to Bryce’s basketball expenses, she said. Family vacations were planned around Bryce’s basketball schedule.

Bryce, a 17-year-old, 5-9 senior point guard at Eastern High School in Louisville, has jumped from one traveling A.A.U. team to the next — five total, with fees ranging from $600 to $1,000 — because Walker-Byrd felt he was not getting as much playing time as other players.

Walker-Byrd has already moved her son to three high schools. “I know I’ve been talked about,” she said. “I don’t even care because I’m going to do what I’m going to do for mine.”

Bryce, who had a team-high 14 points in an Eastern victory last week, has at times seemed embarrassed about all the attention.

“I don’t want my children to go through what I’ve had to go through,” he said.

For Craig Owens Jr., a bulky 18-year-old senior who is a 6-3 power forward, it is easy to explain his unbridled love of basketball. His father always attended his games. But for the past year, Craig has played while his father, who sold cocaine, has been in prison.