‘Hoop Dreams’ at 30: How the iconic Chicago documentary still inspires a new generation
‘Hoop Dreams’ at 30: Iconic Chicago documentary still inspiring a new generation
Its been called one of the best sports documentaries ever made. Last year, the inspirational movie Hoop Dreams celebrated its 30-year anniversary. And today, the story of two young Chicago men chasing their dreams is still inspiring people of all ages.
CHICAGO - It's been called one of the best sports documentaries ever made. Last year, the inspirational movie Hoop Dreams celebrated its 30-year anniversary. And today, the story of two young Chicago men chasing their dreams is still inspiring people of all ages.
In a Fox 32 special report, Sylvia Perez goes behind the scenes with one of the stars of the film who is now trying to spread his hoop dreams to young students to teach them that anything is possible.
The backstory:
The year was 1994. A three-hour documentary called Hoop Dreams followed two South Side Chicago teenagers for five years with their struggles and their quest to make it to the NBA. Renowned film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert declared Hoop Dreams the best film of the year.
Thirty years later, Hoop Dreams is still making an impact. It sits in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry alongside Citizen Kane and The Godfather.
William Gates was 16 years old when he starred in the film, and Arthur Agee was 14. Fox 32 caught up with Agee, who is now in his 50s and still marvels at the impact Hoop Dreams has today.
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"The film turned out to be my NBA," Agee said. "It broadcast me all over the world to people and still being myself as a teen knowing where my roots from humility and that's what it's really all about."
Agee and Gates remain close today and have their own podcast. Agee is also a motivational speaker and has created a Hoop Dreams clothing line. He's now getting involved with high schools that still use the movie as a teaching tool.
The Classroom Connection
Hoffman Estates English teacher Erica Bromely is a Hoop Dreams fanatic. She is passionate about the movie’s message, and it's part of a unit she teaches every year to her high school class.
"The kids are really motivated by what the boys go through and how they don't give up on their dreams, and so it’s inspirational to watch the way that the kids watch the film and are inspired by the boys and their families so much," Bromely said.
"The film wasn’t just about basketball. It went into their lives and made you realize that things aren't always what they seem," said student Olivia Ingraffia.
When the movie ends, the students learn that the two Chicago teens who are profiled don’t make it to the NBA.
The students were asked what questions they would have for the stars of the film, who are now grown men with their own families.
"I would ask how do you feel now, even though they didn't get to their ideal life, how do you feel with the life you ended up with now," student Samy Marinez asked.
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A Surprise Visit
It's a question many people have after they've watched the movie. But today, thanks to Mrs. Bromely, her students will get to ask that question and more.
"I met Arthur at an anniversary screening in the past, and he is so kind, and I'm just so excited. My students do not know that Arthur is coming today to surprise us," Bromely said.
And what a surprise it was.
"Did we get you guys or did we get you guys?" Agee said after entering the classroom.
Agee spoke with the students for some time, talking about his experiences during the movie.
"It was so crazy when my dad came, when he came on the court, and he bought drugs and everything. I didn’t know that he was going to show up. I hadn’t seen my dad in like, three months," Agee said.
He answered all their questions and told them to never give up no matter the pushback.
"Y’all didn’t even take the time to wait to see if this diamond was going to shine. So, I used them as motivation when I went to Marshall [High School]," Agee said.
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What's next:
Agee said that despite never making it to the NBA, he reached his hoop dream, turning his inspiring story around to help others.
"What I want them to know when I leave them after I get through speaking to them, I want them to know that they matter. We inspired millions of kids. Like ‘wow, that’s what you got to [do]?’ Don’t let that stop you. A knee problem, school, a transcript. That’s always going to happen, and I want to have them to be mentally strong for that," Agee said.
He recently helped with a community collaboration to open a Hoop Dreams basketball court in Garfield Park—another one of his dreams coming true in his mission to inspire a new generation from a documentary that changed his life.
"Can’t stop a West Side kid from dreaming, so I’m always going to have dreams," he said.
The Source: Fox 32's Sylvia Perez conducted all interviews seen in this report, including Arthur Agee, Hoffman Estates teacher Erica Bromley and her students.