Posts made in June 2022

After emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki, respectively) struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation.

With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple were desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn. When they weren’t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, the brothers– Giannis (Uche Agada) and Thanasis (Ral Agada)–would play basketball with a local youth team.

Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world class athletes, along with brother, Kostas (Jaden Osimuwa). With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long shot prospect that would change not only his life but the life of his entire family. And last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Rise” stars Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Manish Dayal, Taylor Nichols, introducing Ral Agada and introducing Uche Agada. The film was directed by Akin Omotoso (“Vaya”), written by Arash Amel (“A Private War”) and produced by Bernie Goldmann (“300”). Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas S. Jones served as the executive producers.

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Three-Part Limited Documentary Series Directed by Nasir “Nas” Jones and Peter J Scalettar
Features LL Cool J, Mayor Eric Adams, Joy Reid, Irv Gotti and More
Recalling Notorious New York Syndicate and Its Long-Standing Cultural Influence

Series Will Screen at Tribeca Festival Sunday, June 19

LOS ANGELES – June 15, 2022 – SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for SUPREME TEAM, a three-part documentary series directed by Grammy® winner Nasir “Nas” Jones and Peter J Scalettar for Mass Appeal that will premiere at the Tribeca Festival on this Sunday, June 19 at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), ahead of the on-air network premiere on Sunday, July 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. All three parts will be available on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, July 8 at 12 a.m. ET (July 7 at 9 p.m. PT).

In collaboration with Mass Appeal as part of the network’s HIP HIP 50 banner, the documentary chronicles the Supreme Team, the notorious Queens, New York crime syndicate, and tells the real story directly from its two leaders, Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff and Gerald “Prince” Miller. Through the voices of these two infamous entrepreneurs and the syndicate’s members, as well Hip Hop legend LL Cool J, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, journalist Joy Reid, singer Ashanti, producer Irv Gotti and others in the local community, politics, law enforcement, academia and popular culture, viewers are given access beyond the headlines to examine the broader cultural dynamics and the impact that this small group from South Jamaica Queens has held on hip hop and society at large.

To watch and share the trailer, visit: https://youtu.be/SAo_IXWhhXY.

While the Supreme Team reached its height in the ’80s and ’90s, the documentary series spans across six decades. Prince and Supreme begin by recalling the youthful decisions they made in the 1970s that would so greatly impact each of them later in life. What followed was a tightrope walk as these two men navigated choices that could land them as leaders of their industry, or behind bars for life – all the while getting sucked into the chaos in their community which has an impact that is still felt to this day. America has a long history of illegal activity as the seed for success: From bootlegging to the plausible deniability in the pharmaceutical industry of today, SUPREME TEAM tells the story of why that path that’s been modeled isn’t designed for everyone.

SUPREME TEAM is executive produced by Nasir “Nas” Jones, Peter Bittenbender, Mat Whittington, Don Sikorski, Peter J Scalettar, Monique McCrae, Charles King, Aisha Corpas Wynn, Jelani Johnson and Doug Banker. Writers include Jones, Scalettar, Camara Rose and Cameron Dennis.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

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Film releasing

in the United States

on Netflix on June 8th, 2022 at 3:00 AM EDT

Great Basketball movie! Adam Sandler achieved the difficult task of paying homage to Basketball greats – Julius Erving, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith, Dirk Nowitzki, Street game legends and countless others while at the same time creating an authentic NBA environment. He puts us right in the thick of the grueling process of becoming mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of making it in the league.

After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down on his luck basketball scout (Adam Sandler) takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team’s approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.

Crew

Jeremiah Zagar
Director

Adam Sandler
Producer, Writer (Feature)

Allen Covert
Producer

Joe Roth
Producer

LeBron James
Producer

Zack Roth
Producer

Maverick Carter
Producer

Cast

Adam Sandler
Actor

Queen Latifah
Actor

Juancho Hernangómez
Actor

Kenny Smith
Actor

Ben Foster
Actor

Robert Duvall
Actor

Heidi Gardner
Actor

DETROIT (June 1, 2022) – Tom Gores, chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity and owner of the Detroit Pistons, announced plans today to build a new $20 million community center in Rouge Park on the City of Detroit’s west side. The announcement comes as the first in a series of initiatives Mr. Gores envisions for the Tom Gores Family Foundation.

Mr. Gores said he will work with the city’s Parks & Recreation Department and residents to develop a new 25,000 square foot multi-use facility adjacent to Brennan Pool. The plan will also renovate the existing pool and locker room facilities and bring a diverse range of year-round programming to the neighborhood. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.

“The facility itself will be the best of its kind and provide residents with a safe space to learn, play and grow,” said Mr. Gores. “But more than just a building, we will create a hub that brings together people from the neighborhood and throughout the city who want to make a difference in this community.”

Today’s announcement is the first output from an initiative Mr. Gores launched last summer with the Pistons organization to accelerate the impact of its work in the social justice arena.
“Before the season began, we sat down with employees across the organization, including our players and both business and basketball operations staff, to discuss meaningful areas where we can help effect social change,” Mr. Gores said.

An internal team of executives from the club’s community relations, legal and operations departments worked with the players over several months to identify several key areas of focus, which include: education, mentorship, vocational services, life skills, financial literacy, emotional intelligence for youth, and food insecurity.

“It was an exciting opportunity to bring our thoughts to the table and not hold back,” said veteran Pistons forward Jerami Grant. “We have a lot of life experience dealing with issues of social justice and we have a lot of ideas about how to drive change.”
That process, which included field trips to visit different facilities and community organizations in Detroit, led to the community center as a way to address multiple priorities.

“We solicited ideas from everyone in the organization: players, coaches, executives, salespeople, support staff. That makes this a powerful effort,” said Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey. “This is incredibly important for our community and Tom has made it an integral area of focus, putting money, resources and infrastructure behind the initiative to make a lasting difference.” Pistons center Isaiah Stewart said community centers played an important role when he was young.

“For me growing up, community centers provided a safe space because after school I always had something to do,” said Mr. Stewart. “That led me to boxing, soccer, and eventually getting into basketball, but I was always busy. They can also give adults who have to work peace of mind knowing their kids are in a safe environment, learning or getting better or just having fun.”

City officials said the Cody-Rouge community suffers from a lack of indoor recreation facilities and is the only current district in the city without an indoor community center. The new facility will serve a population that includes more 24,000 residents within a 1.5-mile radius.

“When you look at a map of community center locations throughout the city of Detroit, we have known for a long time that there was a big hole in the Cody-Rouge neighborhood,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “Now, thanks to Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons, that hole is being filled and the residents of Cody-Rouge will have a new first-class indoor facility providing a wide range of activity and engagement space. The new facility and Brennan Pool enhancements will make this community center one of the finest in Detroit and the region.”

City officials and Pistons representatives will host community meetings with District 7 residents to solicit neighborhood feedback on amenities and programming they would like to see incorporated into the new center.
Mr. Gores said that in addition to funding construction, his organization will leverage its relationships and intellectual capital to maximize impact.

“We will bring the full weight of our resources – our business and basketball operations teams, players, corporate and community partners, and anyone else who wants to join the cause. We are more impactful when we work together,” Mr. Gores added.

A second phase of the plan will create an enclosed structure around one of the two Olympic size pools located at the Brennan site, creating year-round access to swimming lessons and water safety classes. The city said this currently unmet need is critical for Detroiters of all ages. Completion for this second phase of the project has not been set.
The Rouge Park project represents the latest in a series of recreation and community spaces Mr. Gores has funded in districts throughout the city.

In 2019, the Pistons organization rebuilt the outdoor basketball courts in Rouge Park as part of a six-year commitment to rehabilitate 60 courts by 2024. By the end of this summer, 52 courts in 37 parks will have been completed. Mr. Gores helped fund renovations and ongoing programming at the SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park on the city’s east side.

The Highly Anticipated Second Season Stars Tony® Award Winner Patina Miller and MeKai Curtis

Santa Monica, Calif. —

May 27, 2022 –

STARZ released a new teaser today for “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” revealing the August 14 premiere date for the series’ second season. New episodes will be available weekly on Sundays at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the STARZPLAY premium streaming platform across its complete footprint in Europe, Latin America and Japan. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.

Set in the early 1990’s, the third series in the “Power” Universe tells the origin story of fan favorite character “Kanan Stark” and his entry into the criminal world through his mother, who ruthlessly runs the family’s drug empire. It stars MeKai Curtis in the titular role of “Kanan” and Tony® Awards winner Patina Miller (“Madam Secretary,” The Hunger Games Franchise) as his mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas.

As we enter season two, Raquel ‘Raq’ Thomas has gained control over the city’s drug trade, but her son is slipping away. Kanan Stark returns to Queens uncertain of his future with the family business, and because of Detective Howard’s lingering secret, he’s even more uncertain of his past. Kanan searches for the truth while Raq boldly expands the business into hostile Mafia territory. Lou-Lou has other plans that revolve around his emerging record label, but Raq isn’t about to let his side hustle get in the way of her expansion. Although Marvin remains Raq’s loyal soldier, he struggles to earn Jukebox’s forgiveness and become the father she deserves. The ties that bind this family are becoming undone, but Raq will stop at nothing to hold them together.

In addition to Miller and Curtis, the cast also includes Omar Epps (“House,” Love and Basketball), London Brown (“Ballers”), Malcolm Mays (“Them,” “Snowfall”), Hailey Kilgore (“Amazing Stories”), Joey Bada$$ (Two Distant Strangers) and Shanley Caswell (The Conjuring) with Quincy Brown (Dope) and Toby Sandeman (“The Royals”) recurring. Antonio Ortiz (“High Fidelity,” “The Sinner”) has been upped to a series regular role returning as Shawn “Famous” Figueroa in the second season.

Sascha Penn returns as creator and showrunner and will continue executive producing alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Courtney A. Kemp. The “Power” Universe series are executive produced by “Power” creator and showrunner Courtney A. Kemp through her production company End of Episode, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television and Mark Canton through Atmosphere Entertainment MM. End of Episode’s Chris Selak, Shana Stein and Bart Wenrich also executive produce. Kevin Fox also serves as executive producer. Lionsgate Television produces the series for STARZ.

Follow “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” on Social Twitter: @RaisingKanan Instagram: @RaisingKananStarz Facebook: @RaisingKanan Join the conversation with #RAISINGKANAN and #STARZ

About STARZ STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly-rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform to provide subscribers access to the “best of global SVOD.” STARZPLAY, coupled with its STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture, has expanded its global footprint into more than 60 countries throughout Europe and Latin America along with Canada, Japan, India and Indonesia. STARZ and STARZPLAY are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.

About Lionsgate Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.

ABOUT THE SHOW

The third season of acclaimed Boston drama series CITY ON A HILL starring Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge will premiere on Sunday, July 31 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. The series also stars Jill Hennessy, Lauren E. Banks and Matthew Del Negro, and guest stars including Corbin Bernsen, Joanne Kelly and Ernie Hudson.

Season three of CITY ON A HILL brings us to Boston’s high society Beacon Hill. Having left the FBI and thrown his badge into Boston Harbor, Jackie Rohr (Bacon) lands a lavish new gig running security for a wealthy family. Life is good until secrets begin to unravel. When an investigation opens, ADA Decourcy Ward (Hodge) sees an opportunity to finally rip out the machinery perpetuating a broken criminal justice system. Siobhan Quays (Banks), representing a construction worker who was severely injured on the Big Dig, encounters the city’s corruption first-hand, all while coping with the traumatic events of her past year. As Jenny Rohr (Hennessy) can attest, given her history with her father, some experiences will haunt you beyond your breaking point.

CITY ON A HILL is executive produced by multiple Emmy winner Tom Fontana (Homicide: Life on the Street), who also serves as showrunner. In addition, CITY ON A HILL is executive produced by Jennifer Todd, Jorge Zamacona, Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Barry Levinson.

WATCH NOW ›

Courtesy of Andre Ward

The Deeply Personal, Untold Account of the 2021 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, Produced by UNINTERRUPTED,

To Premiere on SHOWTIME in Early 2023

NEW YORK – June 9, 2022 – SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films presents a film examining the improbable rise of one of boxing’s most guarded champions, Andre Ward, produced by Lebron James and Maverick Carter’s UNINTERRUPTED. The undefeated, five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist reveals his untold story in a deeply personal account of his journey from a turbulent childhood in Oakland, Calif., through the pressures of world championship expectations and ultimately to his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend. The currently untitled film will premiere on SHOWTIME in early 2023.

“I always knew that one day I would tell my story in my own words. I’ve been waiting for the right moment and platform to do it, and the time is now,” said Ward. “I’m excited to be partnering with SHOWTIME and UNINTERRUPTED to bring this to life. Many people know what I accomplished, but they don’t know what I overcame to get to this point. I pull back the curtain on my parents’ struggles with addiction, the lure of the street life following my father’s death, and my battles with the sport of boxing itself. This film will detail how I rose above it all through my faith, determination and desire to leave my own unique legacy no matter the cost.”

In September 2017 at the age of 33, with his status as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport secured, the undefeated Ward shocked the sporting world when he announced his retirement from boxing. Now 38 and a father of five, Ward is reflecting on his life with newfound clarity and appreciation for his unconventional rise to greatness. Featuring interviews with longtime trainer and godfather Virgil Hunter, Andre’s wife Tiffiney Ward, as well as key figures from the sports and entertainment world, the film will examine a side of Ward that no one has ever seen before.

“The battles Andre Ward fought go way beyond the title-winning efforts he produced in the ring,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Most people would crumble in front of the challenges Andre faced, but he stood tall. His story is incredible. We’re honored and thankful to him for sharing his personal journey with us, and we are proud to work with UNINTERRUPTED again on another compelling and provocative story at the intersection of human drama, sport and society.”

The documentary is directed and executive produced by Rachel Neubeck along with James, Carter, Jamal Henderson and Philip Byron of UNINTERRUPTED, the Sports Emmy® Award-winning athlete empowerment brand housed under The SpringHill Company founded by James and Carter, and co-executive produced by Matt Rissmiller.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

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Pictured left to right – Nick Dessipris, Rhyan St. Clair, Tracey Washington Bagley

(NEWARK, NJ) Emmy Award winning executive producer Tracey Washington Bagley is set to make her directorial debut with “Niko Newark.”

The film is currently in pre-production and is set to start filming Summer 2022. The focus of the film is the racial tensions leading to the riots that gripped the City of Newark in 1967.

The Plot…The film shines a light on the everyday plight of young people in the urban community — how they were affected by the tragedies (racism, death, corruption) that take place that change their lives and the city’s history forever.

This is a topic stirred by controversy and intrigue while bringing up a valid and necessary conversation about race relations that we still feel overwhelmingly to this day.

Inspired by a True Story…This tragic coming of age film will be brought to you by Nick Dessipris of New Ark Productions in partnership with producer Rhyan St. Clair of Little King Studios.

Inspired by true events, this drama takes place at City Diner in downtown Newark, New Jersey. There, eleven-year-old Niko would watch diners of different races enjoying their meals but not each other due to their deeply held bigotry.

As this hideous outlook on society grows in the minds of those tainted by the toxicity, an unlikely friendship forms between the naive but fearless Niko, the son of a Greek immigrant, and Arty, an eleven-year-old quiet but curious African American kid from the nearby projects. This bond, formed organically from their innocence and lack of prejudice, will be tested as the City of Newark erupts in race riots during the long hot summer of 1967.

Will this powerful unity survive and serve as a beacon of hope for the future of the city, or will it crumble in the flames of a city many deemed to be lost?

This is a cautionary but ultimately inspiring narrative that beckons the viewer to value the quality of a person over the color of their skin.
The production is currently casting.

The Film Spotlights the Ascent of Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, God Shammgod, Kenny Smith, Rafer Alston, Rod Strickland and Dwayne “Pearl” Washington

From Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom (a 35V company)

Premieres Friday, July 29 at 9 PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME

NEW YORK – June 2, 2022 – SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films is announcing NYC POINT GODS, spotlighting the enduring impact of New York City point guards who honed their craft and developed their legendary showmanship on the city’s iconic playgrounds and high school gyms in the 1980s and ’90s. The documentary extends the successful collaboration between SHOWTIME and NBA superstar Kevin Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom. NYC POINT GODS premieres on Friday, July 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and will be available across the network’s on-demand and streaming platforms at premiere.

The gritty blight of New York City in the ’80s revealed a cultural resilience, one that ultimately birthed East Coast hip-hop and inspired a style of play on the basketball court that endures today. The elegance of the city’s elite point guards, molded by the packed streetball courts, unwritten rules of bruising pickup games, and the perseverance required to survive everyday life, has come to define an era of basketball and American culture. Their transcendent style is etched in the consciousness of all who have witnessed these prodigies. The New York City point gods’ lasting impact on the game of basketball can be seen around the world, in virtually every league.

The film features a who’s who of point guard deities: Rafer Alston, Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, God Shammgod, Kenny Smith, Rod Strickland and Dwayne “Pearl” Washington. They brought theatrics, dizzying ball control, stylish misdirection, and a shake-and-bake game from the asphalt to the city’s hallowed high school gyms and to the NBA, orchestrating successful offenses at every level. NYC POINT GODS explores not just how the city shaped these distinct players, but how these wunderkinds shaped and advanced the game under their watch, and whose impact continues to shape the game today.

“As a basketball fan who marveled at the skill and showmanship of each of these point gods, I couldn’t be prouder of this film for its faithful depiction of a special time and special place in basketball history,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “New York City produced some of the greatest showmen and floor generals in basketball history, players whose creativity and style – and signature moves – continue to influence the game today. Thank you to Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman for their vision and expertise in telling this rich and colorful story. Just as the game evolved because of these players, SHOWTIME BASKETBALL continues to evolve by exploring and celebrating the iconic personalities and rich culture and history that have made basketball the worldwide force that it is today.”

“These players were the first people I ever idolized and looked up to, and that time in my life had a huge impact on me,” said 35V and Boardroom co-founder and executive producer Rich Kleiman. “To get to tell these stories about this era and these cultural superheroes is an honor and something that I hope makes all New Yorkers and hoops fans proud to watch.”

“Everyone knows an NYC point guard when they see them,” added Kevin Durant, “and the point gods of this film were instrumental in changing the game for everyone. We are really excited to honor them through this doc, and I know basketball fans will really appreciate it.”

The journey of each New York City “Point God”:

Rafer Alston – A streetball legend responsible for helping create a cultural phenomenon in the AND1 Mixtape Tour with his herky-jerky unguardable moves. “Skip to my Lou” inspired a generation of kids around the world, showing them that it’s possible to go from the playgrounds to the NBA.
Kenny Anderson – From LeFrak City, Queens, Anderson was widely considered to be the greatest high school basketball player ever when he starred for the iconic Archbishop Molloy program under illustrious coach Jack Curran. He went on to play college ball at Georgia Tech and was drafted second overall in 1991.
Mark Jackson – A local hero who played high school, college and NBA ball in New York City, Jackson was a 17-year NBA veteran and remains a prominent voice in the sport as an NBA analyst.
Stephon Marbury – The prodigy. Born and raised in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, “Starbury” was rated the No. 1 player in the country year-after-year while starring at NYC powerhouse Lincoln High School. Marbury played one year of college ball at Georgia Tech before being drafted fourth overall in 1996.
God Shammgod – One of the best ball-handlers in history, Shammgod’s legendary status was stamped when he popularized a unique crossover dribble now known simply as “The Shammgod.” The move lives on in today’s NBA stars, who utilize the move the same way Shammgod once did on the city courts.
Kenny Smith – “The Jet” played his high school ball for the legendary Curran at Archbishop Molloy High School. After starring at UNC alongside Michael Jordan, Smith won back-to-back NBA Championships as the Houston Rockets’ starting point guard. Today, he shares his knowledge and passion as one of the game’s most popular NBA analysts.
Rod Strickland – From the Bronx, Strickland grew up playing organized ball for the famed New York Gauchos AAU program, where he refined his unique ability to drive to the basket and finish over taller defenders. As a junior, he led Truman High School to a state title. After becoming a two-time All-American at DePaul, Strickland played 17 years in the NBA.
Dwayne Washington – A true showman, Dwayne “Pearl” Washington embodied what a New York City point guard was and inspired an entire generation. A playground phenom from Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, Washington brought his flashy play to Syracuse University. He tragically passed away from cancer in 2016 at the age of 52.

NYC POINT GODS features extensive interviews and rare footage of the point guards, plus prominent New York voices. Stephen A. Smith, Cam’ron, Fat Joe, and iconic college coaches Lou Carnesecca, Jim Boeheim and Rick Pitino lend their firsthand knowledge from personal interactions and share surreal stories involving the “Point Gods.”

NYC POINT GODS is a collaboration with Durant and entrepreneur Kleiman’s Boardroom (BASKETBALL COUNTY: In The Water). NYC POINT GODS is executive produced by Coodie and Chike (jeen-yuhs) and directed by Sam Eliad. The documentary adds to SHOWTIME Sports’ unparalleled lineup of premium basketball content. Additional titles in the lineup include IVERSON, KOBE BRYANT’S MUSE, QUIET STORM: THE RON ARTEST STORY and SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

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