You’ll get to see some of the best college basketball players, but it shouldn’t be your only month to enjoy basketball. College and professional basketball is played from October to June each year, giving you the opportunity to watch basketball nearly 365 days a year.
If you can’t find basketball on television, there’s a way to get your basketball fix by watching a movie. There have been great movies made about the sport of basketball, and other movies have used basketball as a backdrop.
Here’s a look at the 10 best basketball movies of all time, along with a brief description of each movie.
10. Glory Road
Glory Road is a film based on a true story and about the first all-black starting lineup in college basketball. What made this story even better was the fact that they were facing the mighty Kentucky Wildcats in the title game.
The film changes little from the actual story and gives viewers a chance to witness one of the most important games in college basketball history.
9. Semi-pro
Semi-Pro is a comedy, but the basketball in this movie is not very realistic. Still, it’s a great movie that will make you laugh from the first line to the ending credits.
What this movie offers is a semi-realistic look at what semi-professional basketball is like, as some strange things happen.
8. Love and Basketball
This list wouldn’t be complete without a little romance, and that’s where love and basketball come into play. There’s obviously a love story involved and it takes place between two of California’s best high school basketball players.
This isn’t based on a true story, but it’s definitely a story that takes place all over the country.
7. White men can’t jump
White Men Can’t Jump follows a pair of con men who develop hatred for each other at a local playground. Before long, the two con artists realize that they can make more money by teaming up, and they begin competing against the best duos on the playground.
This movie has the best basketball scenes of any movie on this list.
6. Pistol: The Birth of a Legend
Pete “Pistol” Maravich was one of the most popular players in league history during his NBA days, but his story actually began at a much younger age. Maravich trained to become one of the best players in the world at a young age and rarely gave up basketball.
This film is the true story of how Maravich became one of the most exciting players in the history of the game.
5. Coach Carter
Coach Carter is based on the true story of a high school basketball coach who helps turn the season around and makes a living for his California team. Coach Carter, played by Samuel L. Jackson, is very intense and transforms a group of boys into young men by the end of the film.
4. He Got the Game
He Got Game is a film by Spike Lee that details the process of recruiting one of the best high school basketball players in the country. Ray Allen plays as Jesus Shuttlesworth and wins a massive one-on-one game against his father, played by Denzel Washington.
3. Hoodie
Hoosiers is a true underdog story and is based on true events. Tiny Hickory High upset the big schools with an incredible performance at the Indiana State Championship.
You’ll often hear the Hoosiers mentioned when an underdog tries to do the unthinkable.
2. Space Jam
Space Jam is an absolute classic that combines several of the NBA stars of the 1990s with some of Looney Tunes’ most famous characters. Michael Jordan is the star of the film and helps the Toon Squad beat the Monstars in a classic matchup.
This movie has stood the test of time and remains a great choice for the whole family.
1. Hoop Dream
Hoop Dreams is one of the best documentaries ever made, and certainly the best basketball ever made. The film follows the lives of two high school students living in inner city Chicago and their high school careers.
Hoop Dreams gives you an in-depth look at the Chicago basketball scene, but there’s so much more going on.