2005 · 2h 16m · PG-13
It begins on the streets. It ends here.
Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.
In 1999, Ken Carter accepts the job of basketball coach for his old high school in a poor area of Richmond, CA. As much dismayed by the poor attitudes of his players as well as their dismal play performance, Carter sets about to change both. He imposes a strict regime typified in written contracts that demand respectful behavior, a dress code and good grades for players. Any initial resistance is soon dispelled as the team under Carter's tutelage becomes a undefeated competitor. However, when the overconfident team's behavior begins to stray with too many doing poorly in class, Carter takes immediate action. To the outrage of the team, the school and the community, Carter cancels all team activities and locks the court until the team shows acceptable academic improvement. In the ensuing debate, Carter fights to keep his methods, determined to show the boys that they need good values for their futures and eventually finds he has affected them more profoundly than he ever expected.
Samuel L. Jackson
Ken Carter
Rob Brown
Kenyon Stone
Robert Ri'chard
Damien Carter
Rick Gonzalez
Timo Cruz
Nana Gbewonyo
Junior Battle
Antwon Tanner
Worm
Channing Tatum
Jason Lyle
Ashanti
Kyra
Texas Battle
Maddux
Denise Dowse
Principal Garrison
Debbi Morgan
Tonya
Mel Winkler
Coach White
Vincent Laresca
Renny
Octavia Spencer
Mrs. Battle
Sonya Eddy
Worm's Mother
Gwen McGee
Kenyon's Mother
Adam Clark
Gruff Uncle
Paul Rae
Guardian
Eugene Lee
Team Parent
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton
Dominique
Dana Davis
Peyton
Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Ray Baker
St. Francis Coach
Lacey Beeman
Susan
Marc McClure
Susan's Dad
Kara Houston
Amber
Carl Gilliard
Store Clerk
Carolina Garcia
Bella
Jenny Gago
President Martinez
Ben Weber
Mr. Gesek
Sylva Kelegian
Office Assistant
Shorty Mack
Pinole Guy
Floyd Levine
Taxi Driver
Rob Fukuzaki
Reporter
Gregory Storm
Reporter
Tracey Costello
Field Reporter
Deena Dill
Field Reporter
Andy Umberger
Bay Hill Athletic Director
Leonard L. Thomas
Preseason Game Referee
Darin Rossi
Bay Hill Referee
Mario Garcia
Additional Richmond Player
Dustin Fuller
Team Manager
Rashaé Minor
Richmond Cheerleader
Cindy Chiu
Bay Hill Cheerleader
Chauntal Lewis
St. Francis Cheerleader
Michelle Boehle
St. Francis Cheerleader
Anna Zielinski
St. Francis Cheerleader
Tanee McCall
Dancer
Allison Kyler
Dancer
Nicole Neal
Dancer
Kerry Wee
Dancer
Brandon Phillips
Dancer
Robert Hoffman
Dancer
Marty Dew
Dancer
Regina Daye Allen
Parent (uncredited)
Taylor Byron Barr
Pinole Valley High School Player (uncredited)
Steven Barry
St. Francis Time Keeper (uncredited)
Jerry Buys
Bay Hill Assistant Coach (uncredited)
Julius Callahan
Sideline Heckler (uncredited)
Curt Clendenin
Student (uncredited)
Susyn Elise Duris
Parent (uncredited)
Jason Flowers
Student (uncredited)
Justin Rodgers Hall
Student (uncredited)
Trae Ireland
Basketball Player (uncredited)
Spencer Kayden
Kennedy Cheerleader (uncredited)
Samantha Kelly
Bay Hill Basketball Fan (uncredited)
Shavon Kirksey
Kennedy Cheerleader (uncredited)
Don Le
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
Roger Lim
Benson Chiu (uncredited)
Paul McMichael
Student (uncredited)
Robert McMurrer
Fan (uncredited)
Tiffany Michael
Girl in Hot Tub (uncredited)
Margaret Newborn
Fan (uncredited)
Ken Pringle
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
Rhea Roma
Faculty (uncredited)
Sean Ross
Party Student (uncredited)
Tony Sagastizado I
Parent (uncredited)
Roberto Santana
Kennedy High School Coach (uncredited)
Mikael Sharafyan
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
Katie Soo
Cheering Fan (uncredited)
David William Watts
Shooter (uncredited)
Anderson William
Fan / Damien's Friend (uncredited)
Evan E. Yu
Bay Hill Tournament Audience (uncredited)