Andrew Pace
In the 2000 film Love & Basketball, Sanaa Lathan was 29 years old. Lathan plays Monica Wright, a basketball player in Los Angeles who falls in love with her next-door neighbour, Quincy McCall (played by Omar Epps). The film follows the pair through four distinct quarters of their lives as they pursue their basketball careers and fall in and out of love with each other. Lathan's performance in the film earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, and a BET Award.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 19 September 1971 |
| Age in Love & Basketball | 28-29 years old |
| Character in Love & Basketball | Monica Wright |
| Year of release of Love & Basketball | 2000 |
| Awards for Love & Basketball | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, BET Award, Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress |
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What You'll Learn
Sanaa Lathan's age during filming
Sanaa Lathan was 28 years old during the filming of Love & Basketball. Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, and the film was released in 2000.
Love & Basketball was Lathan's first leading role, following a string of supporting and guest spots. She had already appeared in shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha, and had a supporting role in the 1998 film Blade.
Lathan's performance in Love & Basketball earned her several accolades, including the 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, and a BET Award.
Despite the film's success, Lathan has since revealed that she was miserable during filming. She told CBS Los Angeles that she questioned whether director Gina Prince-Bythewood wanted her to star in the film, and the preparation for the role took a toll on her. Lathan had to work on her athletic abilities to portray the basketball-obsessed Monica, and was even made to carry a basketball everywhere she went.
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Her character's age
In the 2000 film Love & Basketball, Sanaa Lathan plays Monica Wright, a basketball player in Los Angeles who falls in love with her next-door neighbour, Quincy McCall (played by Omar Epps). The film follows the couple through four distinct quarters of their lives as they pursue their respective basketball careers and romantic relationship.
Lathan's character, Monica, is introduced as an 11-year-old girl who develops a crush on Quincy. The second quarter of the film is set in 1988, when Monica and Quincy are attending Crenshaw High School. Here, Monica is the leader of the girls' basketball team. The third quarter of the film begins when the couple starts college, with both signing to play basketball for the USC Trojans. The final quarter sees Monica and Quincy reunite after breaking up due to the pressures of their athletic and academic commitments.
At the time of filming, Lathan was in her late 20s, having been born on 19 September 1971. She had established her career with roles in television shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha, as well as the 1998 film Blade. Love & Basketball marked her first lead role, and she received critical acclaim for her performance, winning the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and a BET Award. She was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress.
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Lathan's career before 'Love & Basketball'
Born on September 19, 1971, Sanaa McCoy Lathan is an American actress. She is the daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan. Lathan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in English. She then attended Yale University and earned a master's degree in drama. After her training at Yale, where she studied with Earle R. Gister and performed in several Shakespeare plays, Lathan began her career in theatre, earning acclaim both off-Broadway and on the Los Angeles stage.
Encouraged by her father to make Los Angeles her professional base, she found early television roles in episodes of shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. In 1998, Lathan gained recognition with her role as the mother of Wesley Snipes's title character in the superhero film Blade. She followed this up with film roles in The Best Man (1999) and Brown Sugar (2002).
Lathan also ventured into voice acting, voicing Donna Tubbs in The Cleveland Show and Catwoman on Harley Quinn from 2009 to 2013. Her other notable film credits before Love & Basketball include Out of Time (2003) and Something New (2006).
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Her performance and preparation
Sanaa Lathan was 28 years old when she played Monica Wright in the 2000 film Love & Basketball. Lathan's performance in the film earned her the 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, and a BET Award.
Lathan's performance in Love & Basketball has been described as a "breakout performance". She portrayed a female basketball player in Los Angeles who aspired to play in the NBA, but her love for the sport was challenged by her relationship with Quincy McCall (Omar Epps), who expected her to prioritise him over her basketball career.
Lathan's preparation for the role of Monica Wright was extensive. She carried a basketball with her everywhere she went, even to restaurants, as per the instructions of Matsuhara, who worked her out to achieve the desired muscle tone for the role. Lathan had never played basketball before, which posed an obstacle in her preparation for the role.
The casting process for the role of Monica was challenging, as director Gina Prince-Bythewood had extremely high expectations for the lead role, given her personal connection to the semi-autobiographical story. Lathan's initial impression on Prince-Bythewood was not ideal, as she had recently done a bikini spread for Vibe magazine, which did not align with the director's vision for the character. However, Lathan's ability to read well with Omar Epps, who played Quincy, worked in her favour.
Lathan's performance in Love & Basketball was well-received by critics, who praised the romantic dreaminess between her and co-star Omar Epps. Despite the acclaim, Lathan herself admitted that she was “miserable” during the filming of the movie, questioning whether Prince-Bythewood initially wanted her to star in the film.
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Awards and recognition
Sanaa Lathan was 28 years old when she starred in the 2000 film "Love & Basketball".
"Love & Basketball" received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at the performances of Lathan and Omar Epps, Gina Prince-Bythewood's direction and script, and the emotional weight of the film. Over the years, the film has developed a dedicated following, cementing its place in popular culture and establishing itself as a cult classic.
Lathan's performance in the film earned her the 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and a BET Award. She also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.
In addition to Lathan's individual accolades, "Love & Basketball" also received recognition through its inclusion in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Academy All Access" program in 2020, celebrating the film's 20th anniversary. This honour highlighted the film's impact within the industry, showcasing its influential portrayal of race and gender dynamics and its nuanced examination of black love.
The film's writer and director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, has also been recognised for her work on "Love & Basketball". She made her feature film directorial debut with this film and has since established herself as a talented filmmaker, going on to direct and write other influential films such as "The Secret Life of Bees" (2008) and "Beyond the Lights" (2014).
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Frequently asked questions
Sanaa Lathan was 27 years old during the filming of Love and Basketball.
Sanaa Lathan was 28 years old when Love and Basketball was released in 2000.
Sanaa Lathan's character, Monica Wright, was 11 years old at the start of Love and Basketball.
As of September 19, 2023, Sanaa Lathan is 51 years old.
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