Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams (Criterion #289). 1994 Fine Line Features, Kartemquin Films, and KTCA Minneapolis.
Featuring: William Gates & Arthur Agee, Jr.
Also featuring: Arthur "Bo" Agee, Sheila Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates, Isiah Thomas, Spike Lee, Bobby Knight, Kevin O'Neill
Directors: Peter Gilbert, Steve James & Frederick Marx
Available at Amazon.

This critically acclaimed documentary follows two African-American youths, William Gates and Arthur Agee from Chicago, as they are recruited by a predominantly white high school, St. Joseph, in the suburb of Westchester, giving the boys a three-hour round trip between home and school. The two struggle to improve their basketball skills in difficult workouts and practice, while trying to adjust to a foreign social environment. Agee's family falls behind on payments to the school, so he transfers to a school closer to home, John Marshall High School. Gates suffered a knee injury while playing for St. Joseph, which limited his playing time, and ultimately, college recruitment offers.

Hoop Dreams touches on a number of issues aside from basketball; race, class, economic differences, education, and American values

Agee and Gates never made it to the NBA, sadly. Gates did try out for the Washington Wizard following Michael Jordan's second comeback, but suffered another injury, and turned down an offer to join the Chicago Bulls as a reserve. Agee, meanwhile, launched the Arthur Agee Foundation (website), which is devoted to promoting higher education for inner city youth.

Highly, highly, highly recommended film.