This narrative displays how these young men became one of the greatest teams in Ohio State high school history and how one player got noticed by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to be drafted right out of high school. It covers when the boys met in 1996 and then goes through their high school career from 2000 to 2003 at St Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron Ohio, including their four State appearances where they won three state championships.
The fab five of Ohio, is what they called themselves and it consisted of the following spectacular players that brought basketball to the rank of excellence. We all know Lebron James (Mookie Cook), and what he has done in the NBA, but here he was Ohio’s best and also helped keep these guys together. Being challenged to find a place to play as a freshman and trying to find a way for all the friends to play together, like they have since they were kids, Lil Dru Joyce (Caleb McLaughlin) convinced Coach Keith Dambrot (Dermot Mulroney) to give him a chance and allow the others to impress him as well. Both Sian Cotton (Khalil Everage) and Willie McGee (Avery S Willis Jr) helped complete the original fab four during their freshman year, but later outstanding local player Romeo Travis (Scoot Henderson) transferred in and filled the last spot. Finally, the person who originally brought them all together and later ran the program at St Vincent-St. Mary High School Coach Dru Joyce II (Wood Harris) had an eye for talent.
Creating this special biography of these special players in a theatrical format, Director Chris Robinson brings to us this amazing storyline. Developing the charisma for the wonderful actors, who had to perform and reenact what these phenomenal players depicted on the court, was truly displayed on the screen. This fantastic storyline does a wonderful job portraying these boys characters from the early years through high school including the difficulty they encountered and the hardship they endured.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the excellent recreation of the relationship these characters had during their high school years.
Stars 3.5 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Khalil Everage, Caleb McLaughlin, Avery S Willis Jr, Mookie Cook, Scoot Henderson, Wood Harris, and Dermot Mulroney
Directed by: Chris Robinson
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, and Sport
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong language, some suggestive references and teen drinking.
Running Time:
Release Date: June 2, 2023
Distributed By: Peacock
Release In: Standard
