Everyone loves a good basketball move and that’s even more true when it’s based on a true story. Now, to clarify, when a movie states that it’s based on a true story, it simply means that it is based on actual events that happened. However, after all, it is a movie and is going to be a little bit exaggerated for dramatic effect.
But if you’re looking for the best basketball movies that are based on a true story, then look no further than our review below. We go way back through the decades and pull-out the best basketball movies that were not only gripping and exhilarating but also the ones that were based on a true story.
Hoosiers
Hoosiers is loosely based on the story of the Milan High School team that participated in the 1954 state championship game. The film details a failed college coach Norman Dale who gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town.
After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.
Go, Man, Go!
An unlikely film about the Harlem Globetrotters, this film was produced in 1954 and follows Abe Saperstein, the organizer of the Globetrotters. Featuring actual players from the Harlem Globetrotters, this film portrays the teams’ humble beginnings and their struggle to overcome racial discrimination.
Maurie
Produced in 1973, Maurie is a biographical film that was directed by Daniel Mann and distributed by National General Pictures. An emotional film, the film covers the lives and relationships of two NBA Hall of Fame basketball players.
Chronicling the lives of Jack Twyman and his teammate Maurice Stokes, throughout their time in the NBA until Stokes’s death. When Stokes drives to the basket and draws contact, hitting his head and falling unconscious to the floor, he is revived with smelling salts. However, a few days later, Stokes becomes ill and suffers a seizure, falling into a coma and eventually becoming paralyzed.
Although Stokes would require round the clock care, Twyman offers his friendship and moral and financial support until Stokes’s untimely death in 1970.
Hardwood Dreams
Hardwood Dreams is a basketball sports documentary that was released in 1993. Written, directed, and produced by Michael Tollin and narrated by Wesley Snipes, the film follows the lives of five Morningside High School seniors during their last high school basketball season and their dreams of playing in the NBA.
Hoop Dreams
Originally meant to be a 30-minute short film produced for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Hoop Dreams eventually led to five years of filming and over 250 hours of footage.
Premiering in 1994 at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary, this film was directed by Steve James and produced by Frederick Marx, James and Peter Gilbert, and Kartemquin Films.
The film follows two young African American teens, Gates and Agee, as they are recruited by St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois. The school is predominantly white and has an outstanding basketball program, led by Gene Pingatore.
With long commute times and enduring difficult practices and workouts, Gates and Agee must face the very real challenges of socioeconomic class, privilege, and education.
City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal
City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal was released in 1998 and is a documentary film by George Roy and Steven Hilliard Stern. It chronicles the CCNY Point Shaving Scandal and was shown on HBO.
The CCNY Point Shaving Scandal was a college basketball point shaving scandal that involved seven schools. After a bribe offer turned sour, reports came to light on thee point shaving attempts and eventually led to the arrests of many students and coaches.
Michael Jordan to the Max
Michael Jordan to the Max is an IMAX documentary and was released in 2000. The film covers the life and career of basketball great and legend Michael Jordan. It mainly focuses on his 1998 NBA Playoffs and other significant achievements he has made in his career.
Double Teamed
A Disney Channel Original Movie, this movie is great for kids and is based on the life story of identical twin basketball player Heather and Heidi Burge as they make it to the WNBA.
At the age of fourteen, their father pushes them to leave a former school to attend a different school to have a better chance at a college scholarship. Chronicling their time at the new school, this film shows their triumphs and successes as they eventually make it to the WNBA.
Quantum Hoops
The California Institute of Technology is not known for having a great basketball team. However, this film documents their attempts to both identify and end their 21-year losing streak. As the California Institute of Technology does not award athletic scholarships, most players on the team have little basketball experience. However, whether motivated by defeat or embarrassment, we watch as the team prepared to win just one game.