Summaries

A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

This documentary follows two young African-Americans through their high school years as they perfect their skills in basketball in the hopes of getting a college scholarship and eventually play in the NBA. Arthur Agee and William Gates both show great potential and are are actively recruited as they look to enter high school. They start off at the same high school but unable to pay an unexpected bill for tuition fees, Arthur has to withdraw and go to the local public high school. The film follows them through their four years of high school and their trials and tribulations: injuries, slumps and the never ending battle to maintain their grades. Through it all, their hoop dreams continue.—garykmcd

This documentary follows two inner-city Chicago residents, Arthur Agee and William Gates, as they follow their dreams of becoming basketball superstars. Beginning at the start of their high school years, and ending almost 5 years later, as they start college, we watch the boys mature into men, still retaining their "Hoop Dreams". Both are recruited into the same elite high school as their idol, former Detroit Piston superstar Isiah Thomas. Only one survives the first year; the other must return to a high school closer to his home. Along the way, there is much tragedy, some joy, a great wealth of information about inner city life, and the suspense of not knowing what will occur next. This is not a "by-the-numbers" film.—Anonymous

Details

Keywords
  • national film registry
  • african american
  • basketball
  • housing project
  • cabrini green homes chicago illinois
Genres
  • Drama
  • Sport
  • Documentary
Release date Oct 13, 1994
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) PG-13
Countries of origin United States
Language English
Filming locations Cabrini Green Housing Complex, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Production companies Kartemquin Films KTCA Minneapolis

Box office

Budget $700000
Gross US & Canada $7830611
Opening weekend US & Canada $18396
Gross worldwide $11830611

Tech specs

Runtime 2h 50m
Color Color
Sound mix Ultra Stereo
Aspect ratio

Synopsis

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