The debate over the best basketball documentary is one that can keep fans talking for hours. Over the years, there have been dozens of documentaries centered around basketball, and some of them are now considered classics. From stories about winning teams to tales of tragedy and deferred dreams, basketball documentaries come in a wide variety. If you’re a basketball fan, this is one list you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to check out our take on the 10 best basketball documentary movies and shows.
10. Unguarded
Released by ESPN in 2011, Unguarded tells the story of former professional basketball Chris Herron and his battle with substance abuse. Herron joined the NBA in 1999 after being selected in the second round of that year’s draft. What appeared to be a promising career quickly fell apart due to Chris’ struggles with substance abuse.
The documentary not only highlights Chris’ struggles but also shows his tremendous strength through his ability to overcome his personal demons.
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9. Doin’ It in the Park
New York City is widely considered to be the birthplace of streetball, and that’s something Doin’ It in the Park sets out to explore. Led by filmmakers Robert Garcia and Kevin Couliau, the project highlights New York City’s summer basketball scene and the impact it’s had on the game as a whole.
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8. Untold: Malice at the Palace
November 19, 2004, is a day that many basketball fans will never forget. During a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, a fight broke out in the stands between players and fans after a spectator threw a cup of soda at Ron Artest.
The incident would go on to have long-term repercussions for many of the people involved. The fight, which has since been dubbed Malace at the Palace, and its aftermath is the subject of the 2021 documentary Malace at the Palace. The film is part of Netflix’s Untold series, which highlights various sports.
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7. Last Chance U: Basketball
Over the last few years, Netflix has featured quite a few basketball documentaries but Last Chance U: Basketball is arguably one of the best.
Like its football counterpart, Last Chance U: Basketball is set at a junior college and follows the stories of talented players who are hoping their time at a JUCO will help them land a D1 scholarship that will eventually allow them to go pro. The first two seasons of the series took place at East Los Angeles College and featured the men’s basketball team.
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6. The Last Dance
The Last Dance had basketball fans in a chokehold when it was released in the spring of 2020. The 10-part miniseries documented Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. The series included interviews with Jordan and several of his fellow former team members.
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5. Stand
One of the coolest things about basketball documentaries is that they are never just about the sport itself. The 2023 documentary Stand is a great example. Stand is about former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and the struggles he faced during his time in the NBA, largely due to his religious beliefs (Islam).
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4. 30 for 30: Without Bias
During the 1980s, Len Bias was one of the most well-known basketball players in the country. After a stellar career at the University of Maryland, Bias was drafted second in the 1986 NBA draft. Unfortunately, however, Bias never stepped foot on an NBA court. The Without Bias installment of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series
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3. Women of Troy
Not only is Women of Troy the only documentary on our list that highlights the story of a female basketball player but it’s also one of the best. Women of Troy tells the story of the legendary Cheryl Miller and her time on the University of Southern California’s basketball team.
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2. Lenny Cooke
You may not be familiar with Lenny Cooke’s name, but that almost wasn’t the case. During the early 2000s, Cooke was one of the country’s top high school basketball prospects. In fact, in 2001, he was ranked above both Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. However, despite lots of potential, Cooke never lived up to the hype, and his story is what many would consider a cautionary tale.
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1. Hoop Dreams
Even though it’s been almost 30 years since its release, Hoop Dreams remains the best basketball documentary to watch. The movie was filmed over the course of five years. It follows the lives of Arthur Agee and William Gates, two young men from Chicago with dreams of playing in the NBA.
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Dezo is the editor-in-chief of Celebtainment. She has over 10 years of experience in entertainment writing. Email: editor@celebtainment.com
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