Conventional wisdom suggests that the rigors of Harlem’s Rucker Park can make or break a street baller. What happens when the court becomes the venue for a high school all-star game? Are legends and future professional success solidified?
Directed by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, Gunnin’ For that #1 Spot follows eight of the top 24 highschool basketball players in the USA as they prepared for an All-Star game at Rucker on September 1, 2006. Anyone with an eye to this past NCAA tournament will remember the names Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. They’re featured, along with fellow phenom Jarryd Bayless, and will undoubtedly also play a major roll in this upcoming NBA draft.
Going out on a limb, the film is probably better than HBO’s docudrama “Rebound: The Legend of Earl Manigault,” at least from the basketball perspective. However, the question remains can Gunnin’ overtake Soul In Hole for the number one spot of street basketball flicks? Answer that on your own, June 27 at select theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Portland and Philadelphia.
