Synopsis

After more than six years in prison, Jake Shuttlesworth receives a temporary release with an unusual assignment: persuade his estranged son, Jesus, the country's top high school basketball prospect, to attend the governor's alma mater. As recruiters, agents, friends, and family compete for Jesus' future, father and son confront the painful history that keeps them apart.

Factoids & Trivia

• Ray Allen had never acted before playing Jesus Shuttlesworth. He took eight weeks of acting lessons before filming began.

• Kobe Bryant was originally considered for the role of Jesus, but declined because he wanted to spend the summer of 1997 preparing for his second NBA season.

• The one-on-one game between Jake and Jesus was intended to be staged, but the performers were encouraged to play seriously. The competitive energy became part of the finished scene.

• The film includes appearances by William Gates and Arthur Agee, whose lives were documented in the acclaimed basketball documentary "Hoop Dreams."

• The soundtrack combines Aaron Copland's orchestral music with new material by Public Enemy. Public Enemy's title track was released as part of a soundtrack album in April 1998.

• "He Got Game" became the first Spike Lee film to open at number one at the U.S. box office.