Can I do starting strength?

[assito]

hellow Mark,
I am 15 years old, a basketball player which interest in: gain mass, improve athletic abilty and broaden my shoulders.
1.Can I do this program? Is it good for my goals?
2.Can I go to 5RM? I heard that is very dangerous in my age and it can damnify to my to be tall.

what do you think?

thanks a lot and sorry of my bad English!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yes, you can do Starting Strength, since you are precisely the kind of kid it was written for. Yes, it is safe to do 5RMs, just like it is safe to do any RM range as long as form stays absolutely correct. And yes, your English is bad. You must be from New Jersey or Texas.