The Top 10 Best Basketball Movies

5. He Got Game

He Got Game is one of the more interesting basketball movies I’ve seen in a long time. While a lot of films tend to follow players as they rise to the top, this one is about a player who is already one of the best high school basketball players in the country. The twist is that his father is released from prison early so that he can convince his son to go play for a specific university that is near and dear to the governor’s heart. The problem is that the former convict (Washington) isn’t all that close to his son. What makes this movie one of the best is that they actually cast people who could play basketball pretty well in the film, making it all the more believable.

4. Blue Chips

College basketball has come a long way from where it used to be, namely in the way they bribe players into coming and playing for different teams. Blue Chips is one of those basketball movies that takes a look at what goes on behind the curtain. Nick Nolte is a college recruiter and coach who has never had a problem getting some of the best high schoolers to come and play for him. Unfortunately, the other colleges start using dirty tactics to get the best up and comers and Nolte has to decide what path he’s going to take. The film features a lot of cameos from professional players as “recruits” which would be great if they weren’t all clearly in their late 20’s trying to play high schoolers.

3. Love & Basketball

Basketball brings people together and no movie makes that clearer than Love & Basketball. While most basketball movies are about the sport itself, this one branches out into the relationships the game creates. In this case, it’s the story of childhood friends who dream about becoming pros. The only problem is that one of them is a young girl who is going to face a much more difficult journey than the boy she is so close to. The film follows them from childhood to high school to college and to them both finding their place in the world of professional basketball. This is one of the better romantic sports movies out there, so make sure you give it a chance on fate night if you’re trying to get your significant other into the sport.

2. White Men Can’t Jump

First and foremost, I have to say that the title of this movie is incredibly misleading. Secondly, I have to say that this is easily one of the best basketball movies ever made. Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson are two street hustlers who rely on prejudice to win their games. In a stunning twist, it’s the white man who is looked down upon and because everyone assumes Harrelson sucks, they manage to clean up. There’s much more to the movie though as these two BFF con-men wonder if there is any more to their life than just taking money from punks of the court. If you haven’t seen this one yet, it’s probably the one movie on this list that I will call a must see. Definitely check it out, it’s playing on cable constantly.

1. Hoosiers

While I might have a soft spot in my heart for White Men Can’t Jump, Hoosiers has the history behind it. Sometimes the number one movie on a top 10 list is placed there out of respect and reverence, and this is one of those films. This is another one of those basketball movies that follows a high school team that manages to do the impossible thanks to a hard ass coach willing to break them of their bad habits. While a lot of movies follow the players of the team, Hoosiers is very much about the coach (Gene Hackman) whose unwavering commitment to teamwork over individual players manages to make them into winners. As far as basketball movies go, this one is a classic.

Out of an ocean of basketball movies, these ten have proven to be the best. Of course, there are plenty of other gems out there like Teen Wolf, Semi-Pro, and more than I have time to waste, but there is literally something for everyone. Be sure to comment below which of these movies is your favorite below. Also, let me know what movies you would have liked to see on this list. There are always new movies coming out too, so be sure to check back to see what new additions might make their way onto this top 10 list.