Basketball or Nothing

About Basketball or Nothing

Basketball or Nothing is a Netflix documentary series following the lives of the Chinle High School boys' basketball team, based on the Navajo Nation reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Released in 2019 and running a total of six episodes, the series explores a style of basketball called rezball, which essentially entails run-and-gun play with little defence and a lot of fun. Following the team's practices and games, viewers also get a taste of the player's home lives and the trials and tribulations they face, such as living in poverty or working part-time jobs to help out their parents. The series also connects the struggles of today's people to the history of the Navajo Nation, diving into the Nation's culture and some of the marginalization they have faced. Wholesome, fun, and filled with heart, Basketball or Nothing offers an inviting story of young boys working together to achieve greatness mixed with real world systemic issues that are prevalent in both sports and society today.

Basketball or Nothing 's Relation To Sport Business

This series offers a direct and intimate look into an amateur sport system, following the Wildcats' journey to the postseason and chasing the state title. Viewers are able to see the individual stories of the players, like Josiah Tsosie, who is eventually offered a scholarship to attend Arizona State University. Additionally, the series explores the teamwork and work ethic that it takes for the team to succeed and make it to the playoffs.

Basketball or Nothing follows the young players on a high school basketball team, providing a perspective on the player side of sport. In the series, we see the development of skills by players like sharpshooter Cooper Burbank and poised point guard Tsosie.

Indigenous sport is a main focal point in Basketball or Nothing. The series portrays the current struggles and resiliency of the Navajo People that are prevalent in how they live within the largest reservation in the United States. Basketball or Nothing also weaves in the painful history of the Nation. We see historical events explored, such as "The Long Walk of the Navajo", where close t0 10,000 Navajo People were forced to relocate from their homeland in the 1800s.

Why watch Basketball or Nothing ?

Basketball or Nothing is a heartfelt sports documentarian series that will have viewers in an emotional trance. Cheering for the kids, feeling the love of the supportive family and fans, and seeing the overwhelming emotions involved in the triumphs and struggles of the team are just some of the emotional aspects of the show. As a basketball and overall sports fan, the series allows viewers to connect with the Wildcat's basketball journey while showcasing a different and unique style of play in rezball. While shining light on the culture and history of the Navajo Nation, the series intertwines sports and real world systemic issues that are important to the advancement of today's society. Add Basketball or Nothing to your sports TV watchlist today for a fun, wholesome and heartfelt watch!

Trailer & Extras