Hoop Dreams
Movie, 1994, The '90s, Set in Two Chicago players
Hoop Dreams is #13 of 35 in release order and #13 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball program. Gates and Agee dream of NBA stardom, and with the support of their close-knit families, they battle the social and physical obstacles that stand in their way. This acclaimed documentary was shot over the course of five years.
Hoop Dreams recap
Hoop Dreams (1994) follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two Black Chicago teenagers, through high school as they chase careers in professional basketball. Steve James directs the documentary, filmed over five years with some 250 hours of footage. In 1987 a scout recruits both boys to St. Joseph High School in suburban Westchester, where coach Gene Pingatore once coached Isiah Thomas, and both ride 90 minutes each way to get there. William, from the Cabrini-Green projects, starts on the varsity team as a freshman. Arthur, from West Garfield Park, struggles and is forced out after a year when his family cannot pay the tuition, moving to John Marshall High School. William needs knee surgery, and his older brother Curtis pins his own lost hopes on him. Arthur's mother Sheila loses her job and the family goes on welfare, while his father Bo leaves, battles drugs and returns. Among the sports films here, Hoop Dreams follows The Sandlot and precedes Jerry Maguire.
Hoop Dreams ending explained
Hoop Dreams ends with William starting at Marquette University and Arthur at Mineral Area College in Missouri, both still hoping for the NBA. In their senior year, St. Joseph goes out early and William is benched for arriving late, while Arthur leads John Marshall on an unexpected run to third place in the state tournament. William struggles to reach the test score Marquette requires. Arthur's mother earns her nursing degree. The film was not nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, which drew a public outcry.
Post-credits scenes
No. Hoop Dreams has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams is streaming on fuboTV, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube (free), HBO Max, and Xumo Play in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 98%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Sandlot, before Jerry Maguire.
- Chronological order: after The Sandlot, before Jerry Maguire.
Cast
- William Gates as Self
- Arthur Agee as Self
- Emma Gates as Self - William's Mother
- Curtis Gates as Self - William's Brother
- Sheila Agee as Self - Arthur's Mother
- Arthur 'Bo' Agee as Self - Arthur's Father
- Earl Smith as Self - Talent Scout
- Gene Pingatore as Self - High School Basketball Coach
- Isiah Thomas as Self - Professional Basketball Player
- Sister Marlyn Hopewell as Self - High School Guidance Counselor
- Bill Gleason as Self - Television Reporter
- Patricia Weir as Self - President, Encyclopedia Brittanica
Directed by Steve James.