Hoop Dreams (1994)

At the heart of the urban jungle of Chicago, the dreams of two young African-Americans, Arthur Agee and William Gates, take flight in the form of a basketball. "Hoop Dreams" is a compelling documentary that paints a vivid picture of their five-year journey from the onset of high school to the threshold of college. Their shared goal, ignited by their admiration for former Detroit Piston superstar Isiah Thomas, is to make it to the NBA. As they begin their high school years, they are both recruited into the same elite high school, their skills honed and polished on the basketball court. However, when an unexpected tuition fee bill lands, Arthur finds himself forced to return to a high school closer to his home, creating a divergent path from William. Despite this setback, their hoop dreams remain undiminished. The film intimately captures their trials and tribulations, from dealing with injuries and performance slumps to the relentless struggle to keep their grades up. A rich tapestry of inner-city life unfurls along the way, filled with both joy and tragedy. This is not a standard sports documentary; it is an exploration of youthful ambition, resilience, and the complexities of life in the urban landscape. Throughout the course of "Hoop Dreams", the suspense of what lies ahead never wanes. It is a tale of two boys maturing into men, their dreams persisting amidst the turbulence of their lives. The film invites you to witness their journey, an odyssey shaped by the pursuit of their basketball dreams.

Hoop Dreams is a documentary movie featuring William Gates.

Hoop Dreams is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Crackle, Freevee, Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Hoop Dreams on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.