There are dozens of films that many directors have adapted for the big screen, inspired by basketball stories where the impossible happens. Turning the odds upside down, connecting an addicted high school student to life, and even bringing together cartoon characters and NBA stars. For some, basketball is a passion. We have listed the films that show the best examples of this.
1. The Hoosiers (1986)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Dennis Hopper) and Best Music, Hoosiers is the story of small town high school PE teacher Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), who is the basketball coach of a small-town high school, and encourages students to fight his way to the state championship. taking.
2. Coach Carter (2005)
Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson), who is the basketball coach of an ordinary high school team, manages to capture team spirit with a group from different lifestyles who do not get along very well with each other. However, there is a problem. This group will face a high school administrator who wants to terminate their academic contracts.
3. Hoop Dreams (1994)
Hoop Dreams, which was nominated for the Best Documentary Award and Best Editing at the Sundance Film Festival, is about the lives of two African-American students, Arthur Agee and William Gates, who come from poor families. The predominantly white students and highly successful in basketball, St. Joseph High School, it is very difficult to reach the school due to the place where they live. However, they never give up trying to go to heavy training. The documentary, which deals with fundamental problems such as race and social life in America, was highly acclaimed by the critics.
4. He Got Game (1998)
Jake Shuttlesworld (Denzel Washington), who has been in prison for six years, is released on parole. But there is a reason behind its release. He must convince his son, Jesus Shuttlesworld (Ray Allen), an extremely talented basketball player, to play at Big State University, where the Governor graduated as soon as possible.
Bringing together master actor Denzel Washington and NBA star Ray Allen, master director Spike Lee gives the audience emotional moments with this sports-oriented movie.
5. Glory Road (2006)
Don Haskins’ coaching career, which started as a high school girls’ team, takes a different turn when he takes over as head of Texas Western University. Haskins, who did a revolutionary job at this school, almost made the first revolution for the NCAA championship by establishing all the top 5 from black players during the times when racism against blacks was at its peak. Deeply touching on team play, fraternity and discrimination, Glory Road is one of the best basketball movies ever made.
6. Blue Chips (1994)
One of the most underrated basketball movies is Blue Chips, which tells the story of Coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) and his team, who struggle with groups trying to lure them with illegal money and gifts given to amateur basketball players in the American College basketball league (NCAA).
In the 1994 movie starring Nick Nolte, NBA stars such as Shaquille O’neal, Penny Hardaway, Rick Fox and Allan Houston also appear.
7. The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Jim (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a high school student who wants to be a basketball star. But the NBA dreamer Jim has some issues to watch out for. The young man, who got into bad habits with the influence of his friends, has to get out of this swamp, and his only salvation is nothing but basketball, which he is deeply attached to.
The Basketball Diaries, in which Leonard Dicaprio gave one of the most remarkable performances of his career, is directed by Scott Kalvert.
8. Iverson (2014)
The documentary, which deals with the ups and downs of Allen Iverson, one of the most important figures in the history of the NBA, and how he was engraved in the hearts of basketball lovers, is about how a young man from poverty clings to life by clinging to basketball and how he became one of the most iconic players in the NBA.
9. More Than a Game (2008)
More Than a Game, which is about the troublesome experiences of NBA star LeBron James on his way to fame and perfection, and his high school life with his 4 teammates, is about how success grows by feeding off absence and perseverance.
10. Love & Basketball (2000)
Love & Basketball is about Quincy, who dreams of being an NBA player in 1981 Los Angeles, and Monica, who is very talented in basketball despite being a girl, and their love for basketball since childhood turns into a unique bond between them.
11. Space Jam (1996)
In this adventure with animated and real characters, all the Looney Tunes stars will play basketball against a monster team that steals the skills of real NBA players. Led by Bugs Bunny, this team will turn to basketball legend Michael Jordan for help in defeating this team of monsters!
12. White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) and Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes) are talented non-professional basketball players. Looking for an opportunity on the streets of Los Angeles to hold on to life, this duo is passing their time with money basketball tournaments and various bets on the streets. Friendship and trust are pushed to the limit in this hilarious but dangerous tale.
13. Above the Rim (1994)
We follow a promising high school basketball star’s relationship with two brothers, a drug dealer and a former basketball star, who are now having a tough time. Starring Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon, David Bailey.
14. Forget Paris (1995)
In Forget Paris, where Billy Crystal both directs and plays, NBA referee Mickey meets Ellen, an American airline employee, in Paris and we are guests of their ups and downs.
15. The Mighty Macs (2009)
In the early ’70s, Cathy Rush becomes the basketball coach of an all-girls Catholic high school. While his team doesn’t have a gym and uniform, and the school itself is in danger of being sold out, Coach Rush wants to prepare its girls for their first national championship.