He Got Game

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Cast

Denzel Washington
as Jake Shuttlesworth

Ray Allen
as Jesus Shuttlesworth

Milla Jovovich
as Dakota Burns

Rosario Dawson
as Lala Bonilla

Hill Harper
as Coleman `Booger' Sykes

Zelda Harris
as Mary Shuttlesworth

Jim Brown
as Spivey

Joseph Lyle Taylor
as Crudup

Ned Beatty
as Warden Wyatt

Bill Nunn
as Uncle Bubba

Michele Shay
as Aunt Sally

Thomas Jefferson Byrd
as Sweetness

Lonette McKee
as Martha Shuttlesworth

John Turturro
as Coach Billy Sunday

Roger Guenveur Smith
as Big Time Willie

Arthur J. Nascarella
as Coach Cincotta

Travis Best
as Sip

Walter McCarty
as Mance

John Wallace
as Lonnie

Rick Fox
as Chick Deagan

Al Palagonia
as Dom Pagnotti

Leonard Roberts
as D'Andre Mackey

Saul Stein
as Prison Guard Books

Ron Cephas Jones
as Prison Guard Burwell

Jade Yorker
as Jesus Shuttlesworth (age 12)

Shortee Red
as Booger (age 12)

Quinn Harris
as Mary Shuttlesworth (age 6)

Dean Smith
as Himself

Lute Olson
as Himself

John Chaney
as Himself

John Thompson
as Himself

Roy Williams
as Himself

Nolan Richardson
as Himself

Denny Crum
as Himself

Tom Davis
as Himself

Clem Haskins
as Himself

George Karl
as Himself

Jim Boeheim
as Himself

Rick Pitino
as Himself

Bobby Cremins
as Himself

Dick Vitale
as Himself

Bill Walton
as Himself

Shaquille O'Neal
as Himself

Reggie Miller
as Himself

Charles Barkley
as Himself

Scottie Pippen
as Himself

Michael Jordan
as Himself

Robin Roberts
as Herself

Gus Johnson
as PSAL Announcer

Stuart Scott
as TV Announcer

Ray Clay
as Tech U Announcer

J.C. MacKenzie
as Doctor Cone

Coati Mundi
as Clerk in Motel

Avery Glymph
as Sneaker Clerk

Ciara A. Shields
as Mary's Friend

Lin Que Ayoung
as `I Love You' Leech

Angela Meryl
as `I Love You' Leech

Dionne D. Phillips
as `I Love You' Leech

Gary Frith
as `I Love You' Leech

Jamie Hector
as `I Love You' Leech

Harry Philippe
as `I Love You' Leech

Kelli-Lin McMillan
as `I Love You' Leech

Lamar Tookes
as `I Love You' Leech

Mark Breland
as Man with Gat

Heather Hunter
as Female in Sex Montage

Christopher Wynkoop
as The John

Alonzo Scales
as Goose

Lori Rom
as June

Kim Director
as Lynn

Felicia Finley
as Molly

Tiffany Jones
as Buffy

Jill Kelly
as Suzie

Jennifer Esposito
as Ms. Janus

Tony Paige
as Correction Officer

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News & Interviews for He Got Game

Critic Reviews for He Got Game

Audience Reviews for He Got Game

• Jun 21, 2014

  Spike Lee, dare I say, is the first Hollywood spokesman of black culture, and what do you know, Denzel's involved with another one of his projects, "He Got Game". "He Got Game" may just seem like just another basketball movie but underneath the hood is a compelling story about tension between a father and son. And for the most part, the story sells itself. Coupled with the great Denzel and even Ray Allen, there's a lot of opportunity. However, because this film was made near the beginning of the permeation of black culture into Hollywood, it fails to develop a true tone that encapsulates what black culture is truly about. Don't get me wrong -- Spike Lee vividly portrays the culture through the narrative, but the writing and the score becomes extremely tacky. Raw and gritty scenes occur throughout which is, at times, shocking but it's all paired with a very "Disney" like music. It's extremely jarring. In the end, it's all about how effective the movie was. And was it? Absolutely. With the sharp direction from the eyes of Spike Lee, to the superb acting from Denzel, "He Got Game" not only sells itself as a captivating story, but also as a solid film.
  Albert K Super Reviewer
• Nov 30, 2011

  A film that will satisfy any true basketball fan. Seeing Ray Allen star next to Denzel Washington is surreal at first, but they seem to have good chemistry. Denzel puts on one of his more strong performances as Jake Shuttlesworth and Ray Allen does a decent job for being an amateur actor. The film is quite emotional and Spike Lee delivers well in the way the story is told. It shows some of the darker sides of how the NCAA operates and the prison system as well. A good film that is a nice change of pace from ordinary sports stories.
  Suneel J Super Reviewer
• Oct 30, 2011

  Great visuals and performances though it falls short in the end, still a worthwhile minor work from Spike Lee.
  

  Graham J Super Reviewer
• Jan 12, 2011

  Spike Lee is one of the very few filmmakers possessing the heart and soul of an auteur, but none of the self righteousness. He Got Game is a perfect example of the directors sensibilities. Most basketball movies tell coming of age stories against gritty backdrops that all lead up to some big game. Lee's film is practically void of all such cliches. The central narrative does build around a father trying to reconnect with his son, but the narrative progresses in ways that most screenwriters or directors would be afraid to allow. The movie explores how everyone - agents, politicians, legal guardians, even girlfriends - scrambles to get a piece of the possible glory and money behind a rising high school basketball star. But it also maintains a central focus on the basketball star and how close he is to reaching his dreams. This allows for an interesting mix in tones, where the character's field of dreams mixes with the harsh reality of the sport as a commercial entity, filled with people who's only goal, like in all business, is to make money. At the heart of it all is Denzel Washington, a convicted murderer who happens to be this young star's father. He is let out on temporary parole to try and get his son to sign with a particular university basketball team. If he does, he might be released permanently. Regardless of the outcome, this allows the father to find some redemption in helping his son figure out his life. The end is anti-climactic, but beautifully executed, displaying Spike Lee at his artistic best.
  Edward B Super Reviewer

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